Elevated serum polybrominated diphenyl ethers and thyroid-stimulating hormone associated with lymphocytic micronuclei in Chinese workers from an E-waste dismantling site

Environ Sci Technol. 2008 Mar 15;42(6):2195-200. doi: 10.1021/es702295f.

Abstract

In this study, we recruited 49 subjects from one village close to an electronic waste (e-waste) site (exposed group) and another located 50 km away from the e-waste site (control group). We found that serum levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (median PBDEs, 382 ng/g lipid weight; range, 77-8452 ng/g lipid weight) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (median TSH, 1.79 microIU/mL; range, 0.38-9.03 microIU/mL) and frequencies of micro-nucleated binucleated cells (MNed BNC; median, 5% per hundred; range, 0-96% per hundred) were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the control group (158 ng/g, range of 18-436 ng/g, and p < 0.05; 1.15 microIU/mL, range of 0.48-2.09, and p < 0.01; and 0% per hundred, range of 0-5% per hundred, and p < 0.01, respectively). A history of working with e-waste was significantly associated with increased MNed BNC frequencies (odds ratio (OR), 38.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1-1358.71, p = 0.044), independent of years of local residence, a perceived risk factor. However, there was no association between PBDEs exposure and oxidative DNA damage. Therefore, the exposure to PBDEs at the e-waste site may have an effect on the levels of TSH and genetoxic damage among these workers, but this needs to be validated in large studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Adult
  • Asian People
  • Deoxyguanosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxyguanosine / urine
  • Electronics*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants / blood*
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity
  • Female
  • Flame Retardants / metabolism*
  • Flame Retardants / toxicity
  • Glutathione / blood
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / blood
  • Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective / chemically induced*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis
  • Phenyl Ethers / blood*
  • Phenyl Ethers / toxicity
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / blood*
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / toxicity
  • Superoxide Dismutase / blood
  • Thyrotropin / blood*
  • Waste Products

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Flame Retardants
  • Phenyl Ethers
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls
  • Waste Products
  • Malondialdehyde
  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Thyrotropin
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Deoxyguanosine
  • Glutathione