Using hair as a non-invasive matrix to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to selected heavy metals in Pakistan

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dc.contributor.authorAkram, Sumaira
dc.contributor.authorKhan, Said Akbar
dc.contributor.authorGul, Hatice Kubra
dc.contributor.authorSyed, Jabir Hussain
dc.contributor.authorKazim, Mureed
dc.contributor.authorRehman, Syed Aziz Ur
dc.contributor.authorKurt-Karakus, Perihan
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-08T15:14:56Z
dc.date.available2026-02-08T15:14:56Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentBursa Teknik Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractPakistan has become a significant recipient of e-waste, largely due to lower labor costs, lack of local environmental regulations, and less stringent international controls. Limited research exists on e-waste generation, management, and pollution in Pakistan. This study aimed to analyze levels of selected heavy metals in human hair samples from workers at informal e-waste processing facilities in six major cities: Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Peshawar. A total of 150 hair samples were collected from workers aged 15 to 60 years and compared with samples from a control group of individuals who had no exposure to e-waste processing for at least the previous five years. Results revealed higher average concentrations (mu g/kg) of Zn (577) in the hair of e-waste facility workers, followed by Fe (534), Al (265), and Cu (105). Significant age-related differences were observed for Zn, Fe, Cd, and Pb (p < 0.01), indicating these metals are prevalent during e-waste recycling. Notably, Fe, Zn, and Al concentrations were significantly higher in the 56 + age group, suggesting prolonged exposure. Strong correlations (p < 0.01) were found between pairs such as Al-Cu, Al-Fe, Zn-Cu, and Cd-Pb, which can serve as markers of high exposure due to prolonged e-waste recycling activities. In conclusion, hair analysis is a noninvasive, cost-effective method to provide preliminary information on heavy metal exposure in both control and exposed groups. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the correlation between heavy metals in hair, urine, and blood samples of informal e-waste recyclers to establish exposure routes and adverse health effects on metabolic activities.
dc.description.sponsorshipPakistan Science Foundation (PSF) [PSF TUBITAK/Env/C-COMSATS-Isb (14)]; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) [118Y216]
dc.description.sponsorshipThe work has been supported by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) # PSF TUBITAK/Env/C-COMSATS-Isb (14) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Grant #118Y216).
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s10653-025-02528-3
dc.identifier.issn0269-4042
dc.identifier.issn1573-2983
dc.identifier.issue6
dc.identifier.pmid40413703
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105006461045
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-025-02528-3
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12885/5518
dc.identifier.volume47
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001494883000002
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.relation.ispartofEnvironmental Geochemistry and Health
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.snmzWOS_KA_20260207
dc.subjectE-waste
dc.subjectHeavy metals
dc.subjectInformal recyclers
dc.subjectHuman hair
dc.subjectBiomarker
dc.titleUsing hair as a non-invasive matrix to assess the exposure of e-waste workers to selected heavy metals in Pakistan
dc.typeArticle

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