HBM4EU Exposures in E-waste management v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
HBM4EU Occupational Biomonitoring Study on Exposures in E-Waste Management
IRAS ID
287188
Contact name
E Leese
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
HSE
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
The proposal presented here and within the supporting documentation describes a study which forms part of a pan-European project called HBM4EU (Human Biomonitoring for Europe). One work strand within this study is investigating workers' exposure to hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
The main aims of the current proposal is to provide new data on exposure to hazardous chemicals during the different stages of e-waste management.
The long term goal is to increase the share of recycling and e-waste processing in the UK and Europe and reduce the exporting of e-waste to other countries. Therefore the exposure data collected in this study will demonstrate potential exposure hazards and promote good working practices leading to improved protection for workers health from the risk of exposure to harmful and toxic chemicals by providing sustainable procedures and practices as recycling and e-waste processing increases.
The study will be conducted in ten countries; UK, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Portugal during 2020 - 2022.
Please find the study work plan attached with this ethics application (Appendix 1). It outlines the study protocol for HBM4EU. Please note however, that the protocol is for the entire HBM4EU occupational work strand spanning all countries and experts involved and some aspects of the protocol are not relevant to the UK's involvement in this study. In particular, we will not be collecting buccal cell or hair samples or analysing urine and blood samples for organic compounds or effect markers. Because Appendix 1 is an undeviating document across each participating country, specific details relevant to the UK are not included, therefore we have produced a document Appendix 1a - UK-Specific amendments.
The consent forms, information sheets and questionnaires that are presented as separate appendices within this ethics application have also been adapted to be specific to the UK study.REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0194
Date of REC Opinion
12 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion