Decreased Lung Function Induced By Transition-Metal Exposure In School Children From An E-waste Recycling Area

Background The inappropriate processing of electronic-waste contribute to the release of high concentration of transition metals into the ambient air. School children living in residential areas that have high various oxidant density are at risk of inhalation with some transition metal particulate but there are few studies about the respiratory effects of school children.Objective Our objective was to study transition metal accumulation in vivo and damage to pulmonary function of school children from an e-waste recycling area in China.Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 144 school children (8-13y) from an e-waste recycling area and a non-polluted area. Spirometry was performed to assess lung function status. The levels of transition metals, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation of school children were examined.Results The concentrations of blood manganum (BMn) and serum nickel (SNi) in Guiyu children were significantly higher than that in controls, however, the forced vital capacity (FVC) value of boys aged 8-9y was significantly lower than that in controls. Malonaldehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities increased significantly in cases, but glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities declined.Conclusions Our survey suggests that school children had high accumulation of chromium, manganese and nickel in the blood, and are at risk of oxidative damage and decreasing pulmonary function values of boys aged 8-9y due to their exposure to transition metals in the ambient air.