Ecological Burden of e-Waste in Bangladesh—an Assessment to Measure the Exposure to e-Waste and Associated Health Outcomes: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background e-Waste is a rapidly growing waste stream worldwide, and Bangladesh is a hub of e-waste handling. Informal e-waste recycling operations involve crude methods for dismantling, repairing, sorting, and recycling electronic goods with bare hands and without personal health protections. Direct inhalation or dermal exposure to toxicants during informal recycling is common. Evidence suggests that e-waste–derived toxicants pollute the terrestrial ecosystem and have been linked with adverse health effects. However, e-waste recycling–related occupational health hazards have not been adequately explored in the context of Bangladesh. Objective Our study aims to expand the current understanding of exposure to e-waste. This study will measure the metal concentrations in biological and environmental samples and evaluate the relationship between heavy metals and the biochemical systems of the e-waste workers. Methods The study uses a cross-sectional study design consisting of an exposed site and a nonexposed control site. The trained team collected information on individual exposures, detailed work and medical history, and biological samples (blood, urine, and hair) from each subject. This study will measure heavy metal levels (lead, cadmium, and mercury) and biochemical parameters (hematological, hormonal, renal, and others) from the biological samples with reported physical function as outcomes of interest. In addition, we also collected soil and dust samples from both exposed and nonexposed control sites to measure the health risk. All the environmental samples will be analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to determine metal concentrations. We will also conduct a qualitative investigation for a deeper understanding of the e-waste management system in Bangladesh. Results The protocol has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh, and The University of Queensland’s Human Behavioral Ethics Committee. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants. We recruited 199 workers from the e-waste sites with at least 5 years of exposure and 104 control subjects with no industrial or e-waste exposure. Sample analysis is estimated to be completed in 2022. Conclusions Although many studies have identified potential adverse health outcomes from exposure to e-waste, there is a lack of published epidemiological research in Bangladesh. Research in this field is particularly pressing in the context of the current e-waste trend and the need to deepen the understanding of exposures and outcomes. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/38201

Editorial: Breaking the Silence: Unveiling the Challenges of Women’s Reproductive Health

“…Furthermore, the stigma surrounding reproductive health services utilization by unmarried women has been identified as a barrier, with discrimination and fear of being labeled contributing to the stigma (Mohammadi et al, 2016). Additionally, the cultural taboo surrounding reproductive health, especially for divorced poor women, poses significant challenges in managing their reproductive health (Parvez et al, 2022 The multifaceted challenges surrounding women's reproductive health in the Gulf necessitate a holistic approach that addresses not only the practical aspects of healthcare but also the deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms. Breaking the silence around infertility and menstrual health, while fostering understanding between religious doctrines and modern healthcare practices, is essential for empowering women to make informed choices about their bodies, thereby creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women across the region.…”