Lipid profile and Atherogenic Indices in Nigerians Occupationally Exposed to e-waste: A Cardiovascular Risk...

Aim: This study investigated the effects of e-waste occupational exposure on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in Waste Electrical and Electronic Workers in South-South Nigeria. Matrials and methods: Whole blood levels of lead and cadmium were analyzed using ICPMS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry). Total serum cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were determined using spectrophotometric method. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol value was calculated by the Friedewald equation using analyzed values of TC, HDL cholesterol and TG. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) was calculated as log TG/HDLc, atherogenic coefficient (AC) as [(TC-HDLc)/HDLc], Castelli risk index (CRI-1) as (TC/HDLc) and CRI-II as (LDLc/HDLc). Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, AC, CRI-1 and CRI-11 significantly increased in the e-waste exposed participants compared to the unexposed group. Significant positive correlations between lead and cadmium, cadmium and total cholesterol as well as between cadmium and LDL-cholesterol were observed Conclusion: Occupational exposure to e-waste borne chemicals may cause changes in lipid levels and increase risk of cardiovascular disease in the Nigerian e-waste workers included in the present study. The level of artisanal involvement in crude e-waste reprocessing should be considered critical in cardiovascular health risk assessment.