Table 2 Studies concerning hormonal health outcomes

Eguchi et al. [2015]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Vietnam, 2010–2011

Overall n = 111 participants

77 EWW (45 females, 32 males)

34 residents as CG (22 females, 12 males)

Thyroid hormones (TH) in serum samples

Personal interview incl. Demographic-, health- and diet information

TH-concentrations were within normal limits, although TT4, TT3 and FT3 concentrations in serum samples from the e-waste recycling site (Bui Dau) were significantly lower than at the reference site (Duong Quang). Significant gender differences in the TH levels with higher levels of TT4, TT3 in women were found.

Zheng et al. [2017]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW), South China, 2011

79 EWW (36 females, 33 males)

Circulating THs (incl. TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, TSH) in serum samples

Physical examination & questionnaire incl. Health, occupational & demographic information

TH concentrations in EWW were generally within the population reference ranges and no significant gender differences in the TH levels, except for FT3 were found. Multiple linear regression coefficients for a significant association between specific circulating TH levels and OCs were found for TT3 & BDE47, TT3 & BDE85.

Wang, H et al. [2010]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs non-occupational exposed group/residents (R) vs unexposed control group (CG), China, November–December 2008

Overall n = 442

236 EWW from 3 E-waste sites

89 residents (R)

117 residents as CG

THs (incl. TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, TSH) in serum samples

Questionnaire incl. Health- and dietary information, demographic- and occupational history)

Residents and EWW had significantly lower serum T3, fT3, fT4 levels than the control group. TSH concentrations were significantly lower within the EWW compared to controls.

Eguchi, A et al. [2014]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Vietnam, January 2010–January 2011

Overall n = 131 participants

83 EWW (48 females (2 pregnant), 35 males)

48 unexposed as CG (33 females (2 pregnant), 15 males)

THs (incl. TT4, FT4, TT3, FT3, TSH) in serum samples

Interview incl. Demographic-, health- and diet information, pregnancy status

Concentrations of TT3 and FT3 were significantly lower in EWW than in the CG.

Yuan et al. [2008]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), China, study period not reported

Overall n = 49 participants

23 EWW (7 females, 16 males)

26 farmers as CG (11 females, 15 males)

TSH levels in serum samples

Questionnaire incl. Personal medical history, smoking history, alcohol consumption, occupational history

Concentrations of TSHs in EWW were significantly higher than in the CG. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors showed history of engaging in e-wastes and sex to be an independent predictor of serum TSH levels.

Igharo et al. [2020]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Nigeria, study period not reported

Overall n = 104 participants

63 male EWW

41 male residents as CG

Questionnaire

Physical examination

Blood samples with concentrations of HDL-, LDL-, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) & -index of plasma (AIP), Castelli’s Risk Index (CRI-I & CRI-II)

Lipid profiles especially TC and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in EWW compared to the CG.

The atherogenic indices such as AC, CRI-I & CRI-II

in EWW were significantly higher than in the CG.

Zhao et al. [2021]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW), southeast of China, 2018

76 EWW (35 females, 41 males)

Questionnaire incl. Demographic and work information

Blood samples with concentrations of THs, TC, TG

Biochemical parameters of the EWW such as TC, TG, serum fat content, TSH, FT3, FT4 are only listed in the supplementary material without reference values, control group or textual categorisation.

Igharo et al. [2018]

Cross-sectional: exposed e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), Nigeria,

2014–2016 (some aspects were concluded in 2017)

Overall n = 104 participants

63 male EWW

41 male adults as CG

Serum samples with levels of fertility hormones LH, FSH, Testosterone (TESTO), Prolactin (PROL), Progesterone (PROG), Oestrogen (EST), Inhibin (INH)

Levels of male fertility hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin and oestrogen were significantly lower, while inhibin was significantly higher in EWW compared to the CG.

Wang, Y et al. [2018]

Cross-sectional: exposed resident e-waste worker (EWW) vs unexposed control group (CG), China, study period not reported

Overall n = 267 participants

146 male EWW

121 males as CG

Questionnaire incl. Socio-demographics, information about exposure duration & sexual abstinence

Semen samples: assessment of motility

Analysis of semen quality showed significantly lower volume of semen and total number of sperm, while the motility rate was less and the abnormality rate higher in EWW compared to controls.

A multivariate, logistic regression analysis of risk factors for sperm motility rate, abnormality rate and total sperm count showed that exposure duration was a predominant risk factor.