In vivo exposure to electronic waste (e-waste) leachate and hydraulic fracturing fluid adversely impacts the male reproductive system

• Published in: Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) Vol. 124; p. 108533
• Main Authors: Raja, Amna, Costa, Patricia, Blum, Jason L., Doherty-Lyons, Shannon, Igbo, Juliet K., Meltzer, Gabriella, Orem, William, McCawley, Michael, Zelikoff, Judith T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Animals; Electronic waste; Electronic Waste - adverse effects; Genitalia, Male; Humans; Hydraulic Fracking; Hydraulic fracturing; Hydrofracturing, male reproductive health; Male; Mice; Nigeria; Semen - chemistry; Wastewater - toxicity; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Nigeria; Electronic waste; Hydraulic fracturing; Hydrofracturing, male reproductive health
• ISSN: 0890-6238; 1873-1708; 1873-1708
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108533

Human health effects can arise from unregulated manual disassembly of electronic waste (e-waste) and/or hydraulic fracturing fluid spills. There is limited literature on the effects of e-waste and hydraulic fracturing wastewater exposure on the male reproductive system. Thus, this proof-of-concept study begins to address the question of how wastewater from two potentially hazardous environmental processes could affect sperm quality. Therefore, three groups of eight-week-old adult mice were exposed (5 d/wk for 6 wks) via a mealworm (Tenebrio molitor and Zophabas morio) feeding route to either: (1) e-waste leachate (50% dilution) from the Alaba Market (Lagos, Nigeria); (2) West Virginia hydraulic fracturing flowback (HFF) fluid (50% dilution); or, (3) deionized water (control). At 24-hours (hr), 3 weeks (wk), or 9-wk following the 6-wk exposure period, cohorts of mice were necropsied and adverse effects/persistence on the male reproductive system were examined. Ingestion of e-waste leachate or HFF fluid decreased number and concentration of sperm and increased both chromatin damage and numbers of morphological abnormalities in the sperm when compared to control mice. Levels of serum testosterone were reduced post-exposure (3- and 9-wk) in mice exposed to e-waste leachate and HFF when compared to time-matched controls, indicating the long-term persistence of adverse effects, well after the end of exposure. These data suggest that men living around or working in vicinity of either e-waste or hydraulic fracturing could face harmful effects to their reproductive health. From both a human health and economic standpoint, development of prevention and intervention strategies that are culturally relevant and economically sensitive are critically needed to reduce exposure to e-waste and HFF-associated toxic contaminants. •E-waste and hydraulic fracturing (HFF) related chemicals cause toxic effects.•Exposure to e-waste leachate and HFF in male mice caused decline in sperm quality.•Serum testosterone levels decreased in both exposed groups.•Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio increased in mice exposed to e-waste leachate and HFF.•Most of the changes in mice persisted for 3-wk and 9-wk after the end of exposure.