Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study
Objectives 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 advers...
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Korean Society for Preventive Medicine
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health |
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| Online Access: | http://jpmph.org/upload/pdf/jpmph-24-415.pdf |
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| author | Chonyitree Sangwijit Parichat Ong-artborirak Warangkana Naksen Kraiwuth Kallawicha Pallop Siewchaisakul |
| author_facet | Chonyitree Sangwijit Parichat Ong-artborirak Warangkana Naksen Kraiwuth Kallawicha Pallop Siewchaisakul |
| author_sort | Chonyitree Sangwijit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-92281e73f7a34d29a1b4a1ccaa1f43a3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1975-8375 2233-4521 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Korean Society for Preventive Medicine |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-92281e73f7a34d29a1b4a1ccaa1f43a32025-08-20T03:05:11ZengKorean Society for Preventive MedicineJournal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health1975-83752233-45212025-03-0158215616610.3961/jpmph.24.4152408Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional StudyChonyitree Sangwijit0Parichat Ong-artborirak1Warangkana Naksen2Kraiwuth Kallawicha3Pallop Siewchaisakul4 Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandObjectives 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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusions 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.http://jpmph.org/upload/pdf/jpmph-24-415.pdfe-waste workerscommunity-dwelling adultshealth effectsheavy metalsleep qualitymental health |
| spellingShingle | Chonyitree Sangwijit Parichat Ong-artborirak Warangkana Naksen Kraiwuth Kallawicha Pallop Siewchaisakul Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health e-waste workers community-dwelling adults health effects heavy metal sleep quality mental health |
| title | Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_full | Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_fullStr | Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_short | Health Effects of Heavy Metal Exposure Among E-waste Workers and Community-dwelling Adults in Thailand: A Cross-sectional Study |
| title_sort | health effects of heavy metal exposure among e waste workers and community dwelling adults in thailand a cross sectional study |
| topic | e-waste workers community-dwelling adults health effects heavy metal sleep quality mental health |
| url | http://jpmph.org/upload/pdf/jpmph-24-415.pdf |
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