Chemical risk and respiratory health of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) handlers in Dakar (Senegal)

Context. - The growing consumption of electronic devices is responsible for an overproduction of a new type of waste called waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This waste is now a major environmental and health problem for those who handle it. Objective. - The aim of our study was to establish the profile of heavy metals on the soil of WEEE treatment sites and to assess the respiratory health status of WEEE workers in the city of Dakar. Methods. - A total of 17 sites distributed over 6 areas were selected using the snowball method. For each selected site, soil samples were collected at each site and heavy metal levels were determined using a spectrometer Niton (TM) Portable XL2 XRF Analyzer (Waltham, USA). Sociodemographic data, health status, and history of respiratory disease were collected and assessed using a questionnaire. Respiratory health was evaluated using a portable Spirobank II Basic Medical International Research (MIR) spirometer (Rome, Italy). Results. - The chemical characterization of the soils identified the presence of metallic trace elements (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) at concentrations between 61.16 and 226.59 mg/kg for As, 29.68 and 35.84 mg/kg for Cd, 20.64 and 11,596.1 mg/kg for Pb, 24.4 and 4768.75 mg/kg for Zn, 37.65 and 4562.84 mg/kg for Cu, 1615.51 and 659,251.6 mg/kg for Fe and 124.97 and 3843.81 mg/kg for Mn. The study population consisted of 178 manipulators spread over 17 sites. The mean age of the WEEE handlers was 36.91 +/- 10.78 years and the mean length of employment was 10 years. Spirometry examination revealed 37.11% cases of asthma, 21.65% cases of obstructive COPD-like syndrome and 7.22% cases of restrictive syndromes. In addition, asthma was a risk factor for respiratory problems (OR=5.36 with 95% CI [1.50; 19.25]). Conclusion. - Treatment of WEEE appears to have an impact on the profile of metal components found at WEEE handling sites. This is accompanied by a high incidence of respiratory illness among workers handling WEEE.