Background: Direct and continuous exposure to particulate matter (PM), especially in occupational settings is known to impact negatively on respiratory health and lung function. Objective: To determine the association between concentrations of PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm) in breathing zone and lung function of informal e-waste workers at Agbogbloshie. Methods: To evaluate lung function responses to PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm), we conducted a longitudinal cohort study with three repeated measures among 207 participants comprising 142 healthy e-waste workers from Agbogbloshie scrapyard and 65 control participants from Madina-Zongo in Accra, Ghana from 2017–2018. Lung function parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, and FEF 25-75) and PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm) concentrations were measured, corresponding to prevailing seasonal variations. Socio-demographic data, respiratory exposures and lifestyle habits were determined using questionnaires. Random effects models were then used to examine the effects of PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm) on lung function. Results: The median concentrations of PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm) were all consistently above the WHO ambient air standards across the study waves. Small effect estimates per IQR of PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm) on lung function parameters were observed even after adjustment for potential confounders. However, a 10 µg increase in PM (2.5, 2.5–10 and 10 µm) was associated with decreases in PEF and FEF 25–75 by 13.3% % [β = −3.133; 95% CI: −0.243, −0.022) and 26.6% [β = −0.266; 95% CI: −0.437, 0.094]. E-waste burning and a history of asthma significantly predicted a decrease in PEF by 14.2% [β = −0.142; 95% CI: −0.278, −0.008) and FEV1 by 35.8% [β = −0.358; 95% CI: −0.590, 0.125] among e-waste burners. Conclusions: Direct exposure of e-waste workers to PM predisposes to decline in lung function and risk for small airway diseases such as asthma and COPD.

Informal electronic waste recycling activities are major contributors to ambient air pollution, yet studies assessing the effects or relationship between direct/continuous exposure of informal e-waste workers to particulate matter and cardiovascular function are rare. Repeated measurements of fractions of PM_2.5, PM_10–2.5, and PM₁₀ in personal air of informal e-waste workers, (n = 142) and a comparable group (n = 65) were taken over a period of 20 months (March 2017 to November, 2018). Concurrently, 5-min resting electrocardiogram was performed on each participant to assess resting heart rate variability indices. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between PM fractions and cardiac function. SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF and LH/HF ratio were all associated with PM. Significant associations were observed for PM_2.5 and Mean NN (p = 0.039), PM10 and SDNN (p = 0.035) and PM 10–2.5 and LH/HF (p = 0.039). A 10 μg/m³ increase in the concentrations of PM _2.5, PM_10–2.5, and PM₁₀ in personal air was associated with reduced HRV indices and increased resting HR. A 10 μg/m³ per interquartile (IQR) increase in PM_10–2.5 and PM₁₀, decreased SDNN by 11% [(95% CI: − 0.002- 0.000); (p = 0.187)] and 34% [(95% CI: − 0.002-0.001); (p = 0.035)] respectively. However, PM_2.5 increased SDNN by 34% (95% CI: − 1.32-0.64); (p = 0.493). Also, 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5, PM_10–2.5 and PM₁₀ decreased RMSSD by 27% [(− 1.34–0.79); (p = 0.620)], 11% [(− 1.73, 0.95); (p = 0.846)] and 0.57% [(− 1.56–0.46); (p = 0.255%)]. Informal e-waste workers are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease from cardiac autonomic dysfunction as seen in reduced HRV and increased heart rate.

Background: Informal electronic waste recycling activities are major contributors to ambient air pollution, yet studies assessing the effects or relationship between direct/continuous exposure of informal e-waste workers to particulate matter and cardiovascular function are rare. Methods: Repeated measurements of fractions of PM_2.5, PM_10-2.5, and PM₁₀ in personal air of informal e-waste workers, (n=142) and a comparable group (n=65) were taken over a period of 20 months (March 2017 to November, 2018). Concurrently, 5-minute resting electrocardiogram was performed on each participant to assess resting heart rate variability indices. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the association between PM fractions and cardiac function.Results: SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF and LH/HF ratio were all associated with PM. Significant associations were observed for PM_2.5 and MEANNN (p = 0.039), PM10 and SDNN (p = 0.035) and PM 10-2.5 and LH/HF (p = 0.039). A 10µg/m³ increase in the concentrations of PM _2.5, PM_10-2.5, and PM₁₀ in personal air was associated with reduced HRV indices and increased resting HR. A 10µg/m³ per interquartile (IQR) increase in PM_10-2.5 and PM₁₀, decreased SDNN by 11% [(95% CI: -0.002- 0.000); (p = 0.187)] and 34% [(95% CI:-0.002-0.001); (p = 0.035)] respectively. However, PM_2.5 increased SDNN by 34 % (95% CI: -1.32-0.64); (p = 0.493). Also, 10µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5, PM_10-2.5 and PM₁₀ decreased RMSSD by 27% [(-1.34-0.79); (p = 0.620)], 11% [(-1.73, 0.95); (p = 0.846)] and 0.57% [(-1.56-0.46); (p = 0.255%)]. Conclusion: Informal e-waste workers are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease from cardiac autonomic dysfunction as seen in reduced HRV and increased heart rate.