HBM4EU E-waste study – An untargeted metabolomics approach to characterize metabolic changes during E-waste recycling
E-waste contains hazardous chemicals that may be a direct health risk for workers involved in recycling. We conducted an untargeted metabolomics analysis of urine samples collected from male e-waste processing workers to explore metabolic changes associated with chemical exposures in e-waste recycling in Belgium, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. Questionnaire data and urine samples were obtained from workers involved in the processing of e-waste (sorting, dismantling, shredding, pre-processing, metal, and non-metal processing), as well as from controls with no known occupational exposure. Pre- and post-shift urine samples were collected and analysed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). A total of 32 endogenous urinary metabolites were annotated with a Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) above 2, indicating that e-waste recycling is mainly associated with changes in steroid hormone and neurotransmitter metabolism, energy metabolism, bile acid biosynthesis, and inflammation. The highest VIP was observed for dopamine-o-quinone, which is linked to Parkinson's disease. These and other changes in metabolism in workers employed in the processing of e-waste need further verification in targeted studies.
Authors
- Radu Corneliu Duca (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9350-3816)
- Lode Godderis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4764-8835)
- Linda Matisāne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3978-6963)
- Susana Viegas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1015-8760)
- Karolina Jagiełło (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2730-6873)
- Lucyna Kozłowska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2905-4005)
- Tomasz Puzyn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0449-8339)
- Jelle Verdonck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4105-5126)
- Krzesimir Ciura (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6187-6039)
- Tiina Santonen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8150-4985)
- Inese Mārtiņsone (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6923-5316)
- Carla Martins (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7930-2914)
- Selma Mahiout (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6405-1155)
- Monika Sijko-Szpańska
- Maria João Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6060-0716)
- Paul T.J. Scheepers (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8005-0910)
- An Van Nieuwenhuyse (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6259-8654)
Institutions
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Warsaw University of Life Sciences (PL)
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FI)
- University of Gdańsk (PL)
- Riga Stradiņš University (LV)
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (PT)
- Laboratoire National de Santé (LU)
- Department of Public Health (MM)
- Gdańsk Medical University (PL)
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa (PT)
- KU Leuven (BE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Environment International
- Published
- 2025-01-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2025.109281
- Citations
- 4
- Primary Topic
- Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.99
Funders
- European Commission
- Työsuojelurahasto
- Szkola Glówna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie