Table 1Demographics of workers in E-waste recycling (n = 71).
Characteristic |
n
|
% |
Socio demographics |
Gender |
Male |
51 |
71.8 |
Female |
20 |
28.2 |
Age (y) |
≤ 40 |
30 |
42.3 |
> 40 |
41 |
57.7 |
Education |
≤ Secondary school/vocational certificate or equivalent |
46 |
64.8 |
> Secondary school/vocational certificate or equivalent |
25 |
35.2 |
|
Behavioral |
Smoke cigarettes |
Yes |
32 |
45.1 |
No |
39 |
54.9 |
Drink alcohol |
Yes |
38 |
53.5 |
No |
33 |
46.5 |
Time worked/d (h) |
< 8 |
44 |
62.0 |
≥ 8 |
27 |
38.0 |
Duration of work (y) |
< 10 |
40 |
56.3 |
≥ 10 |
31 |
43.7 |
|
PPE |
Cotton mask |
Yes |
48 |
60.6 |
No |
28 |
39.4 |
Gloves |
Yes |
49 |
69.0 |
No |
22 |
31.0 |
|
Personal hygiene |
Wash hands before lunch |
Yes |
68 |
95.8 |
No |
3 |
4.2 |
Ate lunch in the working areas |
Yes |
51 |
71.8 |
No |
20 |
28.2 |
Clean clothes every day |
Yes |
62 |
87.3 |
No |
9 |
12.7 |
Have established ventilation systems |
Yes |
31 |
43.7 |
No |
40 |
56.3 |
Table 2Prevalence (%) of health symptoms in workers during the previous month that work in e-waste recycling (n = 71).
Parameter |
Count |
% |
Acute effects |
Headache |
17 |
23.9 |
Blurred vision |
19 |
26.8 |
Nausea and vomiting |
4 |
5.6 |
Rash or itching |
19 |
26.8 |
More sweat |
9 |
12.7 |
Tight chest |
7 |
9.9 |
Palpitations |
7 |
9.9 |
Tea hands and feet |
18 |
25.4 |
|
Chronic effects |
Stomachache |
3 |
4.2 |
Weight reduction |
7 |
9.9 |
Constipation |
9 |
12.7 |
Stability does not exist |
10 |
14.1 |
Permeation |
5 |
7.0 |
Convulsion |
1 |
1.4 |
Coughing |
16 |
22.5 |
Table 3Prevalence of blurred vision and rash/itching symptoms in the previous month, according to participant characteristics.
Characteristic |
|
Blurred vision |
Rash/Itching |
|
|
Count |
Prevalence (%) |
Crude OR (95% CI) |
ORadj (95% CI) |
p
|
Count |
Prevalence (%) |
Crude OR (95% CI) |
ORadj (95% CI) |
p
|
Total (n) |
|
19 |
26.76 (19/71) |
|
|
|
19 |
26.76 (19/71) |
|
|
|
|
Socio-demographic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gender |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Male |
51 |
15 |
29.4 |
2.3 (1.18–4.30) |
2.4 (1.12–5.01) |
0.035*
|
5 |
9.8 |
2.6 (1.15–4.65) |
2.3 (1.10–5.24) |
0.001*
|
Female |
20 |
4 |
20.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
14 |
70.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Age (y) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
> 40 |
41 |
16 |
39.0 |
2.4 (1.17–4.80) |
2.1 (1.03–4.31) |
0.020*
|
9 |
21.9 |
2.5 (1.18–4.31) |
2.2 (1.13–5.03) |
0.018*
|
≤ 40 |
30 |
3 |
10.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
10 |
33.3 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
Education |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
≤ Secondary school/vocational certificate or equivalent |
46 |
14 |
30.4 |
2.3 (1.18–4.35) |
2.3 (1.10–4.88) |
0.017*
|
14 |
30.4 |
2.4 (1.20–4.55) |
2.3 (1.15–4.89) |
0.012*
|
> Secondary school/vocational certificate or equivalent |
25 |
5 |
20.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
5 |
20.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Behavioral |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smoke cigarettes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
32 |
12 |
37.5 |
1.5 (0.83–2.38) |
1.2 (0.93–2.23) |
0.119 |
15 |
46.9 |
1.5 (0.73–2.41) |
1.4 (0.75–2.46) |
0.123 |
No |
39 |
7 |
17.9 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
4 |
10.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Drink alcohol |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
38 |
10 |
26.3 |
1.4 (0.75–2.03) |
1.4 (0.85–2.33) |
0.118 |
8 |
21.1 |
1.3 (0.65–2.23) |
1.3 (0.55–2.18) |
0.129 |
No |
33 |
9 |
27.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
11 |
33.3. |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Time worked/d (h) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
≥ 8 |
27 |
14 |
51.9 |
1.5 (0.83–2.30) |
1.3 (0.33–2.12) |
0.215 |
17 |
63.0 |
1.4 (0.79–2.73) |
1.4 (0.75–2.53) |
0.135 |
< 8 |
44 |
5 |
11.4 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
2 |
4.5 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Duration of work (y) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
≥10 |
60 |
16 |
26.7 |
1.6 (0.85–2.58) |
1.6 (0.80–2.18) |
0.058 |
16 |
26.7 |
1.2 (0.95–2.73) |
1.1 (0.25–2.40) |
0.203 |
< 10 |
11 |
3 |
27.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
3 |
27.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
PPE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cloth mask |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
28 |
15 |
53.6 |
1.3 (0.73–2.01) |
1.3 (0.65–2.06) |
0.120 |
17 |
60.7 |
2.5 (1.20–4.79) |
2.5 (1.23–4.89) |
0.019*
|
Yes |
43 |
4 |
9.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
2 |
4.7 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Gloves |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
22 |
18 |
81.8 |
1.2 (0.65–2.13) |
1.2 (0.45–2.01) |
0.448 |
13 |
50.01 |
2.3 (1.25–4.35) |
2.3 (1.21–4.98) |
0.028*
|
Yes |
49 |
1 |
2.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
6 |
12.2 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Personal hygiene |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wash hands before lunch |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
3 |
3 |
100.0 |
1.3 (0.75–2.53) |
1.2 (0.45–2.03) |
0.418 |
3 |
100.0 |
2.2 (1.10–3.93) |
2.4 (1.10–4.93) |
0.005*
|
Yes |
68 |
16 |
23.5 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
16 |
23.5 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Ate lunch in the working areas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
20 |
6 |
30.0 |
1.4 (0.93–2.42) |
1.3 (0.75–2.22) |
0.123 |
5 |
25.00 |
1.2 (0.93–2.22) |
1.2 (0.73–2.12) |
0.118 |
Yes |
51 |
13 |
25.4 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
14 |
27.40 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Clean clothes every day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
9 |
2 |
22.2 |
1.3 (0.73–1.92) |
1.3 (0.50–1.72) |
0.574 |
9 |
100.0 |
2.4 (1.11–4.03) |
2.5 (1.15–4.83) |
0.025*
|
Yes |
62 |
17 |
27.4 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
10 |
16.1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Have established ventilation systems |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
40 |
9 |
22.5 |
1.1 (0.87–1.65) |
1.1 (0.44–1.31) |
0.551 |
14 |
35.0 |
2.3 (1.12–4.47) |
2.3 (1.14–4.65) |
0.018*
|
Yes |
62 |
10 |
16.1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
5 |
8.1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
Table 4Prevalence of hand-and-feet numbness and headaches in the previous month, according to participant characteristics.
Characteristic |
|
Hand-and-feet numbness |
Headaches |
|
|
Count |
Prevalence (%) |
Crude OR (95% CI) |
ORadj (95% CI) |
p
|
Count |
Prevalence (%) |
Crude OR (95% CI) |
ORadj (95% CI) |
p
|
Total (n) |
|
18 |
25.36 (18/71) |
|
|
|
17 |
23.95 (17/71) |
|
|
|
|
Socio-demographic factors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gender |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Male |
51 |
16 |
31.4 |
2.2 (1.10–4.10) |
2.3 (1.12–4.50) |
0.025*
|
12 |
23.5 |
2.4 (1.10–4.20) |
2.4 (1.12–4.40) |
0.028*
|
Female |
20 |
2 |
10.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
5 |
25.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Age (y) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
> 40 |
41 |
16 |
39.0 |
2.3 (1.13–4.28) |
2.3 (1.10–4.57) |
0.023*
|
14 |
34.2 |
1.3 (1.45–2.35) |
1.2 (1.55–2.47) |
0.432 |
≤ 40 |
30 |
2 |
6.7 |
1.0 |
|
|
3 |
10.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Education |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
≤ Secondary school/vocational certificate or equivalent |
46 |
11 |
23.9 |
1.2 (0.55–2.15) |
1.1 (0.35–2.55) |
0.430 |
10 |
21.7 |
1.4 (0.45–2.25) |
1.3 (0.47–2.15) |
0.132 |
> Secondary school/vocational certificate or equivalent |
25 |
7 |
28.0 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
7 |
28.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
|
Behavioral |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smoke cigarettes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
32 |
14 |
43.8 |
1.3 (1.55–2.15) |
1.3 (1.16–2.25) |
0.491 |
12 |
37.5 |
1.3 (0.55–2.35) |
1.3 (0.45–2.31) |
0.141 |
No |
39 |
4 |
10.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
5 |
12.8 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Drink alcohol |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
38 |
9 |
23.7 |
1.2 (1.47–2.28) |
1.2 (1.24–2.39) |
0.401 |
8 |
21.1 |
1.2 (0.45–2.15) |
1.2 (0.43–2.09) |
0.354 |
No |
33 |
9 |
27.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
9 |
27.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Time worked/d (h) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
≥ 8 |
27 |
14 |
51.9 |
1.3 (1.57–2.58) |
1.3 (1.34–2.65) |
0.211 |
14 |
51.9 |
1.4 (0.57–2.48) |
1.2 (0.45–2.44) |
0.154 |
< 8 |
44 |
4 |
9.1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
3 |
6.8 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Duration of work (y) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
≥ 10 |
60 |
15 |
25.0 |
1.2 (1.50–2.71) |
1.2 (1.32–2.47) |
0.078 |
15 |
25.0 |
1.4 (0.37–2.18) |
1.4 (0.39–2.17) |
0.341 |
< 10 |
11 |
3 |
27.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
2 |
18.2 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
PPE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cotton mask |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
28 |
10 |
35.7 |
1.3 (1.57–2.79) |
1.3 (1.45–2.47) |
0.066 |
9 |
32.2 |
1.3 (1.37–2.98) |
1.3 (1.31–2.57) |
0.157 |
Yes |
43 |
8 |
18.6 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
8 |
18.6 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Gloves |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
22 |
10 |
45.5 |
1.3 (1.50–2.09) |
1.3 (1.24–2.59) |
0.254 |
12 |
54.6 |
1.2 (1.39–2.45) |
1.1 (1.30–2.14) |
0.168 |
Yes |
49 |
8 |
16.3 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
5 |
10.2 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Personal hygiene |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wash hands before lunch |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
3 |
3 |
100.0 |
1.3 (1.20–2.38) |
1.3 (1.23–2.72) |
0.279 |
3 |
100.0 |
1.4 (1.35–2.78) |
1.3 (1.27–2.45) |
0.189 |
Yes |
68 |
15 |
22.06 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
14 |
20.6 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Ate lunch in the working areas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
20 |
4 |
20.0 |
1.3 (1.10–2.18) |
1.2 (1.14–2.24) |
0.160 |
4 |
20.0 |
1.3 (1.15–2.88) |
1.2 (1.16–2.57) |
0.175 |
Yes |
51 |
14 |
27.4 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
13 |
25.5 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Clean clothes every day |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
9 |
2 |
22.2 |
1.3 (1.30–2.01) |
1.3 (1.04–2.32) |
0.174 |
2 |
22.2 |
1.2 (1.09–2.54) |
1.1 (1.38–2.34) |
0.175 |
Yes |
62 |
16 |
25.8 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
15 |
24.1 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
|
Have established ventilation systems |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No |
40 |
8 |
20.0 |
1.2 (1.40–2.31) |
1.1 (1.20–2.38) |
0.245 |
15 |
37.5 |
1.3 (1.19–2.44) |
1.1 (1.08–2.25) |
0.162 |
Yes |
31 |
10 |
32.2 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|
2 |
6.5 |
1.0 |
1.0 |
|