Relationship between Metal Exposures, Dietary Macronutrient Intake, and Blood Glucose Levels of Informal Electronic Waste Recyclers in Ghana

Fayizatu Dawud, Sylvia Akpene Takyi (), John Arko-Mensah, Niladri Basu, Godfred Egbi, Ebenezer Ofori-Attah, Serwaa Akoto Bawuah and Julius N. Fobil
Additional contact information
Fayizatu Dawud: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana
Sylvia Akpene Takyi: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana
John Arko-Mensah: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana
Niladri Basu: McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
Godfred Egbi: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
Ebenezer Ofori-Attah: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
Serwaa Akoto Bawuah: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana
Julius N. Fobil: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG13, Ghana

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: While metal exposures are generally high among informal electronic waste (e-waste) recyclers, the joint effect of metals and dietary macronutrients on their metabolic health is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between metal exposures, dietary macronutrients intake, and blood glucose levels of e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie using dietary information (48-h recall survey), blood metals (Pb & Cd), and HbA1C levels of 151 participants (100 e-waste recyclers and 51 controls from the Accra, Ghana) in March 2017. A linear regression model was used to estimate the joint relationship between metal exposures, dietary macronutrient intake, and blood glucose levels. Except for dietary proteins, both groups had macronutrient deficiencies. Diabetes prevalence was significantly higher among controls. Saturated fat, OMEGA-3, and cholesterol intake were associated with significant increases in blood glucose levels of recyclers. In a joint model, while 1 mg of cholesterol consumed was associated with a 0.7% increase in blood glucose, 1 g/L of Pb was found to significantly increase blood glucose levels by 0.9% among recyclers. Although the dietary consumption of cholesterol and fat was not high, it is still possible that exposure to Pb and Cd may still increase the risk of diabetes among both e-waste recyclers and the general population.

Keywords: e-waste; metals; macronutrients; diabetes; Ghana (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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