The Levels and Impact of Occupational Mercury Exposure on the Antioxidant Status of Electronic Workers in Ibadan

Abstract

Background: The rapid increase in electronic waste (e-waste) poses serious environmental, economic, and health challenges globally, with a particularly profound impact on low- and middle-income countries, making it a pressing public health concern. This study compared the levels of mercury (Hg), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total plasma peroxide (TPP), and oxidative stress index (OSI) among occupationally exposed electronic workers and non-exposed participants in Ibadan. Method: This cross-sectional study recruited 57 participants (25 occupationally exposed workers and 32 non-exposed controls) aged 25 - 45 years. Relevant demographic and anthropometric information were collected on a structured questionnaire and blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses. Mercury was estimated using the principle of Cold Vapour-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) while total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total plasma peroxides (TPP), and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) were estimated spectrophotometrically. Result: Results showed significantly higher levels of mercurelectronic workers are prone to increased oxidative stress, total plasma peroxide, and oxidative stress index among occupationally exposed group when compared to the control group (p=0.00, 0.001, and 0.021 respectively). Oxidative stress index was positively correlated to total plasma peroxide (r =0.848, p= 0.000) and negatively correlated to total antioxidant capacity (r = -0.688, p = 0.000). There is a significant difference between the total antioxidant capacity of workers based on their years of work exposure (p=0.015). Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that electronic workers are prone to increase oxidative stress due to occupational mercury exposure which increases based on years of exposure, which can potentiate significant health implications.