Sangwijit Chonyitree, Ong-Artborirak Parichat, Naksen Warangkana, Kallawicha Kraiwuth, Siewchaisakul Pallop
Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand.
J Prev Med Public Health. 2025 Mar;58(2):156-166. doi: 10.3961/jpmph.24.415. Epub 2024 Nov 21.
Global concern is increasing about the health effects of electronic waste (e-waste). This study examines the health impacts of heavy metal (HM) exposure among e-waste workers (EWWs) and community-dwelling adults (CDAs) in Northeastern Thailand and identifies factors associated with adverse health outcomes.
A cross-sectional study was conducted of 164 EWWs and 164 CDAs. A survey was employed to collect data on participant characteristics, symptoms, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. Urine samples were analyzed for lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels using atomic absorption spectrometry. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors impacting health.
Across all participants, urinary Pb and Cd levels ranged from 5.30 µg/g to 29.50 µg/g creatinine and from 0.60 µg/g to 4.00 µg/g creatinine, respectively. The most frequently reported health issues pertained to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) at 38.70%, central nervous system (CNS) issues at 36.60%, and skin disorders at 31.10%. Multivariable analysis indicated that the presence of MSDs was significantly associated with exposure to Pb and Cd. Poor sleep quality (PSQ) was significantly linked to CNS problems, while body mass index was significantly related to skin disorders. Factors including primary education level or below, smoking, cleaning the house more than 3 times weekly, and PSQ were significantly linked to depression. Anxiety was significantly associated with PSQ.
Environmental exposure to Pb and Cd can have adverse health impacts in the form of MSDs. Depression and anxiety are common conditions among CDAs. Public health officials should monitor HM exposure and mental health within the community.
全球对电子垃圾（电子废弃物）对健康的影响日益关注。本研究调查了泰国东北部电子垃圾处理工人（EWWs）和社区成年居民（CDAs）中重金属（HM）暴露对健康的影响，并确定与不良健康结果相关的因素。
对164名电子垃圾处理工人和164名社区成年居民进行了一项横断面研究。采用问卷调查收集参与者的特征、症状、焦虑、抑郁和睡眠质量数据。使用原子吸收光谱法分析尿液样本中的铅（Pb）和镉（Cd）水平。采用多因素逻辑回归分析确定影响健康的因素。
在所有参与者中，尿铅和尿镉水平分别为5.30μg/g至29.50μg/g肌酐和0.60μg/g至4.00μg/g肌酐。报告最多的健康问题是肌肉骨骼疾病（MSDs），占38.70%，中枢神经系统（CNS）问题占36.60%，皮肤疾病占31.10%。多变量分析表明，肌肉骨骼疾病的存在与铅和镉暴露显著相关。睡眠质量差（PSQ）与中枢神经系统问题显著相关，而体重指数与皮肤疾病显著相关。包括小学及以下教育水平、吸烟、每周打扫房屋超过3次和睡眠质量差等因素与抑郁显著相关。焦虑与睡眠质量差显著相关。
环境中铅和镉暴露可能以肌肉骨骼疾病的形式对健康产生不利影响。抑郁和焦虑在社区成年居民中很常见。公共卫生官员应监测社区内的重金属暴露和心理健康。
