Global DNA (LINE-1) Methylation Is Associated with Lead Exposure and Certain Job Tasks Performed by Electronic Waste Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Agyekum TP ; Arko-Mensah J ; Basu N ; Batterman S ; Dwomoh D ; Fobil JN ; Issah I ; Robins TG ; Rozek LS ; Zarins KR
• Description:
  Objective: This study assessed the associations between blood and urine levels of toxic metals; cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), and methylation levels of the LINE-1 gene among e-waste and control populations in Ghana. Methods: The study enrolled 100 male e-waste workers and 51 all-male non-e-waste workers or controls. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were measured in blood and urine using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while LINE1 methylation levels were assessed by pyrosequencing of bisulfite-converted DNA extracted from whole blood. Single and multiple metals linear regression models were used to determine the associations between metals and LINE1 DNA methylation. Results: Blood lead (BPb) and urine lead (UPb) showed higher median concentrations among the e-waste workers than the controls (76.82 µg/L vs 40.25 µg/L, p≤0.001; and 6.89 µg/L vs 3.43 µg/L, p≤0.001, respectively), whereas blood cadmium (BCd) concentration was lower in the e-waste workers compared to the controls (0.59 µg/L vs 0.81 µg/L, respectively, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in LINE1 methylation between the e-waste and controls (85.16 +/- 1.32% vs 85.17 +/- 1.11%, p = 0.950). In our single metal linear regression models, BPb was significantly inversely associated with LINE1 methylation in the control group (βBPb = - 0.027, 95% CI - 0.045, - 0.010, p = 0.003). In addition, a weak association between BPb and LINE1 was observed in the multiple metals analysis in the e-waste worker group (βBPb = - 0.005, 95% CI - 0.011, 0.000, p = 0.058). Conclusion: Continuous Pb exposure may interfere with LINE1 methylation, leading to epigenetic alterations, thus serving as an early epigenetic marker for future adverse health outcomes. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomarkers Cadmium Electrical Equipment And Supplies Epidemiology Genetics Lead Metals Occupational Health Recycling Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Electronic Waste DNA Damage DNA Methylation Electronic Devices Exposure Assessment LINE-1 Toxic Metals Waste Disposal
• ISSN:
  0340-0131
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  94
• Issue:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070724
• Citation:
  Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021 Nov; 94(8):1931-1944
• Contact Point Address:
  Ibrahim Issah, Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana
• Email:
  ibrahimissah111@gmail.com
• CAS Registry Number:
  Cadmium (CAS RN 7440-43-9) ; Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
• End Date:
  20280630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:e29aab680a61bfb11d7d9701bb85d387b35467f1dc3a697a14abf911177695f2252a10e67aded8f92e7b632710fbb650aa42e96ee042b32afaf3c3e267c9f5a9
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208896/cdc_208896_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.40 MB ]