Cytogenotoxic Effects and Reproductive Abnormalities Induced by e-Waste Contaminated Underground Water in Mice

Abstract

Summary Indiscriminate disposal of electronic wastes (e-wastes) in Nigeria is on the increase. The release of hazardous substances from these wastes may have harmful consequences on the environment and public health. This study was designed to investigate the potential in vivo genetic and reproductive toxicity of e-waste contaminated underground (well) waters obtained from Alaba International and Computer Village electronic markets in Lagos, Nigeria, using the murine micronucleus (MN), sperm morphology and sperm count assays. The animals were exposed orally via free drinking of the water for one to five weeks. MN analysis showed a concentration-dependent induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes across the treatment groups. Assessment of sperm shape showed a significant increase in sperm abnormalities with significant decrease in mean sperm count in treated groups. The presence of Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd in the tested samples is believed to contribute significantly to these observations. The results are indications that e-waste contaminated well water is capable of inducing somatic and germ mutation in living cells, and should be of public health concern in countries with risk of e-waste exposure.

Environmental Heavy Metal Contamination from Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling Activities Worldwide: A Systematic Review from 2005 to 2017

“…Comparing the upper values of Cd in water with the WHO guidelines, it can be seen that some concentrations are above the recommended limit (see Figure S7 ). These limit exceedances have been observed in China [ 46 , 51 , 70 , 75 ], Nigeria [ 11 , 74 ] and India [ 56 ].…”

“…The upper bound median value was 0.01 mg/L ( Table 2 and Figure S9 ). The highest concentrations were recorded in China [ 46 ], followed by Nigeria [ 74 ], Thailand [ 54 ], India [ 56 ], Australia [ 71 ] and Ghana [ 68 ] (see Figure S9 ). It should be noted that according to the analysis of the upper values reported in the literature, water from around recycling sites [ 46 , 54 , 74 , 75 ] is more contaminated with Pb, followed by recycling sites [ 11 , 54 , 56 , 70 , 74 ] (see Table 3 ).…”

Oxidative Stress Induced DNA Damage and Reproductive Toxicity in Male Albino Mice Orally Exposed to Sorbitol

“…Significant increase in the number of morphologically abnormal sperm has been associated with infertility (Wyrobek et al 1984). Induction of abnormal sperms has been assumed to be due to an abnormal chromosome (Bruce et al 1974), minor alteration in testicular DNA (Giri et al 2002), point mutation (Narayana et al 2002, Alabi andBakare 2015) and mistakes in the spermatozoa-differentiating process during spermatogenesis (Odeigah et al 1997, Bakare et al 2005. The studies of Odeigah et al (1997) and Agunbiade et al (2012) reported that abnormalities in sperm heads might occur by physiological, cytotoxic or genetic mechanisms or alterations in testicular DNA, which in turn disrupts the process of differentiation of spermatozoa.…”

Public Health Burden of E-waste in Africa

“…16,39 Soil leachate and well water samples from the Alaba international and Computer village electronic markets in Lagos State, Nigeria showed both mutagenic and genotoxic properties in plant and animal models. 16,24,25,[40][41][42] Exposure of T. guineensis juveniles to varying concentrations of e-waste leachate could be genotoxic to fish. 39 Hazardous heavy metals such as As, Cd, Hg, Pb from e-waste are known to cause cancer.…”