Informal sector electronic waste (e-waste) recovery work in low and middle-income countries often involves burning of e-waste materials to recover copper and other metals. Such methods result in the formation and release of multiple chemicals into the environment including known human carcinogenic metals such as arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni). The rising global cancer burden is particularly challenging in Africa, where inadequate health services and modifiable risk factors exacerbate the problem. In sub-Saharan Africa, occupational and environmental exposures significantly contribute to the cancer burden. However, not much is known regarding the risk of cancer to e-waste workers given the high levels of exposure to these multiple toxicants. Biomarkers, such as oxidative stress markers are a measure of response to environmental exposures and may indicate the risk of cancer associated with this type of work. The proposed study would leverage and expand on the extensive data already collected at the Agbogbloshie e-waste recovery site in Accra, Ghana, to investigate the association between five metals (As, Be, Cd, Cr, and Ni), and oxidative stress markers.

Research Significance

There is a critical need to improve risk assessment strategies for vulnerable populations with high exposure levels and implement targeted prevention measures. Previous studies have highlighted cancer risks from exposure to organic pollutants associated with e-waste, including PAHs, BTEX compounds, VOCs, and various dioxins and flame retardants. These findings underscore the importance of protecting e-waste workers and limiting emissions to reduce risks to surrounding populations. However, there is a gap in integrating biomarker studies to assess cancer risks at the molecular level. Oxidative stress is a significant biomarker involved in carcinogenesis, making it an important endpoint for cancer development. Markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) play a pivotal role by causing mutations, activating critical signaling pathways, and impairing cellular functions. These biomarkers are highly sensitive to environmental exposures, particularly metals, and have been linked to the initiation and progression of various cancers, including melanoma, leukemia, and breast cancer. Their relevance in understanding the mechanisms of cancer development further emphasizes the need for deeper exploration of how environmental exposures contribute to cancer risk at the molecular level.

Publications

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Mentors

• • Stuart Batterman, MS, PhD
  • Julius Fobil, MPhil, DrPH