Multi-exposure to PBDEs, PAHs, and Toxic Metals Increased Health Risks Associated with Oxidative Damage in Children Living Around an Electronic Waste Recycling Site

Family-based recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) often releases toxic chemicals, thus exposing nearby families. This study aimed to evaluate health hazards in 3- to 6-year-old children who lived near an informal e-waste recycling site in Bangkok by assessing their exposure to PBDEs, PAHs and toxic metals. A total of 105 children were recruited, with 60 exposed and 45 matched-control children from a community without e-waste activity. Compared to the control site, the exposed site showed significantly increased ambient levels of total PBDEs and low-brominated congeners; total PAHs and BaP; and toxic metals (Mn and Ni). Levels of Cr and As in household water were also significantly increased. Children exposed to e-waste showed significantly higher levels of PBDEs, as indicated by increased urinary bromophenols, individual exposure to PAHs (total PAHs, BaP, and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and toxic metals (Mn, Ni, As, Pb and Cd) in the toenails. Importantly, e-waste-exposed children had significantly higher levels of urinary DNA adducts, including 8-OHdG (2.63-fold), 8-nitroguanine (1.48-fold), ethenodeoxyadenosine DNA adducts (2.31-fold), and methylated DNA adducts (2.05- and 2.73-fold for 5MedC and N7-MeG, respectively). Other biomarkers, including lipid peroxidation (8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mercapturic acid), protein oxidation (dityrosine), inflammation (salivary IL-8) and immune function (salivary IgA), were elevated in exposed children. These health risk biomarkers were significantly associated with exposure to PBDEs and PAHs. Our multi-endpoint simultaneous investigation in the exposed population showed strong associations between e-waste exposure and the risk of developing adverse health effects in young children.