Evaluation of micronucleus in exfoliated human buccal epithelium cells among e-waste exposed residents in Payatas, Philippines

• Main Authors: Berame, Julie S., Lapada, Aris Alea, Miguel, Frosyl Fabrea, Noguera, Elisa C., Alam, Zeba F.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2020
• Subjects: Electronic waste—Physiological effect; Electronic waste—Philippines—Payatas; Epithelial cells; Environmental Public Health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/11280
• Institution: De La Salle University

Background: The improper recycling of the e waste by the informal e waste recyclers often leads to the contamination of the environment as well as puts the health of the e waste workers at risk due to the exposure to the hazardous chemicals present and also used in e waste recycling. Methodology: The evaluation of the genotoxic effects in terms of presence of micronuclei in the buccal epithelium cells of the e-waste recyclers and dumping site was carried out. Frequencies of binucleated cells (BNc) and abnormal cells were obtained from the buccal epithelium of the study population of controlled group (n=52) and e-waste exposed recyclers (n=40). Descriptive statistics and suited inferential tests were employed to draw conclusions out of the data. Results: There is a significant difference observed in the number of binucleated cells (BNc) and abnormal cells with micronuclei between the control and the experimental groups. It further shows that the years of exposure, gender and smoking status is highly significant in inducing micronuclei in the buccal epithelium cells when compared to the control group. Similar trends were observed in terms of frequency of abnormal cells. For its correlation between control group and e-waste exposed group in terms of abnormal cells, and the independent t-test between the two groups is highly significant with a p value of 0.00. Therefore, direct exposure of e-waste recyclers is prone to health risks due to the nature of job they engage to. Conclusion: This conclude that longer exposure to e-waste materials probably develop genotoxic damage in the human cells which is a serious concern, since it could aid in future disturbances of their health.