An analysis of heavy metals in the human hair using atomic absorption spectroscopy to establish the e-waste toxicity among Filipino informal recyclers in Payatas and Tondo, Manila, Philippines

Date of Publication

8-2017

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Subject Categories

Biology

College

College of Science

Department/Unit

Biology

Thesis Adviser

Zeba F. Alam

Abstract/Summary

The landfill areas of Smoky mountain (Pier 18) and Payatas located at the outskirts of Metro Manila are one of the locations used for the dumping and dismantling of e-waste in the Philippines. Electronic waste (e-waste) is frequently dismantled, both by formal and informal recyclers. The dismantling of e-waste by informal recyclers lead to the leaching out of harmful substances such as heavy metals which lead to the contamination of the surrounding environment and to the human population especially those living in the proximity of e-waste landfills. This study was carried out to assess the contamination status by measuring the heavy metals in the hair of informal recyclers compared to the heavy metal concentration level in the control group composed of people who are not exposed to the recycling and dismantling process of e-waste. Scalp hair samples were collected from the two groups and were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Ten (10) heavy metals were considered including Zn, Mg, K, Fe, Mn (essential mineral nutrients) as well as Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb and Ni (toxic metals related to e- waste). The preliminary investigations establish the presence of heavy metals in the scalp hair samples of e-waste recyclers, which confirms the absorption of heavy metals from the e-waste into the humans. The concentrations of Cu (0.3692) was found to be significantly higher in the scalp hair samples of the informal e-waste recyclers from Payatas and the metals Pb (0.5140 ppm) and K (12.2363 ppm) were found to be significantly higher in the scalp hair samples of the informal e-waste recyclers from Tondo, than the control group. Pb (0.5140 ppm) was found to be significantly higher than the permissible limits in recyclers from the Payatas Dumpsite and Cu (0.3692), Ni (0.9953 ppm) and Cd (0.9749) were found to be significantly higher than the permissible limits in recyclers from the Tondo Dumpsite. The results confirm that human scalp hair can be used as biomarker to assess the extent of heavy metal exposure to informal recyclers living and engaged in e-waste recycling activities. The results suggest that the e-waste recycling may lead to the environmental and human contamination. Hence, a proper e-waste management is an absolute priority to minimize the risk to the Filipino population and the environment.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Accession Number

CDTU021797

Shelf Location

Archives, The Learning Commons, 12F, Henry Sy Sr. Hall

Keywords

Biochemical markers--Philippines--Manila; Electronic waste--Philippines--Manila; Heavy metals—Physiological effect; Heavy metals—Toxicity testing; Electronic waste—Recycling--Philippines--Manila

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Embargo Period

5-28-2025

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