Exploring the Impact of E-Waste Exposure on Childhood Blood Pressure: Metabolomics Analysis and Risk Prediction

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The alarming burden of hypertension in electronic waste (e-waste) recycling areas (EA) constitutes a pressing public health challenge. While growing evidence links changes in blood pressure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and metal(loid) exposure, knowledge gaps persist in understanding the molecular mechanisms and developing operational screening tools. We aim to investigate the effects of VOC and metal(loid) coexposure on the blood pressure of children in EA, uncover metabolic mechanisms via urinary metabolomics, and develop a machine learning algorithm-driven predictive model for identifying children with potential hypertension risks. We measured systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures, urinary VOC metabolites (mVOCs), metal(loid)s, and metabolomic profiles in EA children ( n = 426). Results showed that the hypertension prevalence in our study population (12.7%) significantly exceeded the nationally representative estimate of 3.11%. Elevated levels of urinary 4 mVOCs and 5 metal(loid)s were associated with increased SBP or DBP ( p < 0.05). Principal component analysis identified the positive association between mVOC-dominated mixture and SBP and DBP, where 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA) contributed most substantially ( p < 0.05). Urinary metabolomics revealed N -phenylacetyl- l -glutamine (PAGln) and pyroglutamic acid as pivotal mediators linking VOC and metal(loid) exposure to childhood blood pressure elevation, suggesting gut microbiota metabolism and γ-glutamyl cycling may play important roles in pollutant-associated hypertension. Notably, our predictive model achieved 83% accuracy in differentiating children with a potential hypertension risk, with androstane glucuronide (steroid metabolism) and PAGln being top-ranked features. These results collectively indicated that VOC and metal(loid) exposure may contribute to elevated blood pressure in EA children via disturbing gut microbiota metabolism, γ-glutamyl cycling, and steroid metabolism. This study significantly advances our understanding of the potential mechanisms between VOC and metal(loid) exposure and childhood blood pressure elevation while providing practical tools for early risk detection and intervention.