Bawua Serwaa A, Agbeko Kwame M, Issah Ibrahim, Amoabeng-Nti Afua A, Waldschmidt Saskia, Löhndorf Katja, Küpper Thomas, Hogarh Jonathan, Fobil Julius N
Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana.
West Africa Center for Global Environmental & Occupational Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra GA-270-0053, Ghana.
Toxics. 2025 Jul 23;13(8):615. doi: 10.3390/toxics13080615.
Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in informal settings like Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana, releases toxic metals into the environment, posing serious health risks to nearby residents, particularly children. This study assessed the body burdens of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) and their association with cognitive function in schoolchildren living within 1 km of the Agbogbloshie site. A cross-sectional study involving 56 pupils collected demographic data and blood and urine samples and administered the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). Blood was tested for Pb and Mn and urine for Cd, Cr, Ni, and As. Associations between metal levels and cognitive outcomes were examined using regression analyses, adjusting for confounders. Children showed elevated metal levels, with mean blood Pb of 60.43 µg/L and urinary s of 21.50 µg/L. Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction were common: 75% reported confusion, 67.9% poor memory, and 66% poor concentration. Urinary Cr levels were significantly associated with lower Full-Scale IQ (β = -18.42, < 0.05) and increased difficulty in decision-making (OR = 0.1, < 0.05). These findings underscore the neurodevelopmental risks of heavy metal exposure from e-waste in low- and middle-income countries and call for urgent public health interventions and policy actions.
在加纳阿克拉的阿博布罗西等非正式场所进行的电子垃圾（电子废弃物）回收，会将有毒金属释放到环境中，对附近居民，尤其是儿童构成严重的健康风险。本研究评估了居住在距离阿博布罗西场地1公里范围内的学童体内铅（Pb）、锰（Mn）、镉（Cd）、铬（Cr）、镍（Ni）和砷（As）的负荷及其与认知功能的关联。一项横断面研究纳入了56名学生，收集了人口统计学数据以及血液和尿液样本，并实施了韦氏儿童智力量表第四版（WISC-IV）。检测血液中的铅和锰以及尿液中的镉、铬、镍和砷。使用回归分析检验金属水平与认知结果之间的关联，并对混杂因素进行了校正。儿童的金属水平升高，平均血铅为60.43µg/L，尿镉为21.50µg/L。认知功能障碍症状很常见：75%的人报告有困惑，67.9%的人记忆力差，66%的人注意力不集中。尿铬水平与较低的全量表智商显著相关（β = -18.42，P<0.05），且决策困难增加（OR = 0.1，P<0.05）。这些发现强调了低收入和中等收入国家电子垃圾中重金属暴露对神经发育的风险，并呼吁采取紧急的公共卫生干预措施和政策行动。
