Matthew Akormedi1, Emmanuel Asampong2, Julius N Fobil1. 1. Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. 2. Department of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate and describe informal e-waste recycling and working conditions at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews which were qualitatively analysed from a grounded theory perspective. RESULTS: Workers obtained e-waste from the various residential areas in Accra, then dismantled and burned them in open air to recover copper, aluminum, steel, and other products for sale to customers on-site or at the nearby Agbogbloshie market. The processers worked under unhealthy conditions often surrounded by refuse and human excreta without any form of protective gear and were thus exposed to frequent burns, cuts, and inhalation of highly contaminated fumes. We observed no form of social security/support system for the workers, who formed informal associations to support one another in times of difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: e-waste recycling working conditions were very challenging and presented serious hazards to worker health and wellbeing. Formalizing the e-waste processing activities requires developing a framework of sustainable financial and social security for the e-waste workers, including adoption of low-cost, socially acceptable, easy-to-operate, and cleaner technologies that would safeguard the health of the workers and the general public.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate and describe informal e-waste recycling and working conditions at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews which were qualitatively analysed from a grounded theory perspective. RESULTS: Workers obtained e-waste from the various residential areas in Accra, then dismantled and burned them in open air to recover copper, aluminum, steel, and other products for sale to customers on-site or at the nearby Agbogbloshie market. The processers worked under unhealthy conditions often surrounded by refuse and human excreta without any form of protective gear and were thus exposed to frequent burns, cuts, and inhalation of highly contaminated fumes. We observed no form of social security/support system for the workers, who formed informal associations to support one another in times of difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: e-waste recycling working conditions were very challenging and presented serious hazards to worker health and wellbeing. Formalizing the e-waste processing activities requires developing a framework of sustainable financial and social security for the e-waste workers, including adoption of low-cost, socially acceptable, easy-to-operate, and cleaner technologies that would safeguard the health of the workers and the general public.
Authors: Roland Kofi Srigboh; Niladri Basu; Judith Stephens; Emmanuel Asampong; Marie Perkins; Richard L Neitzel; Julius Fobil Journal: Chemosphere Date: 2016-08-28 Impact factor: 7.086
Authors: Jürgen Wittsiepe; Torsten Feldt; Holger Till; Gerd Burchard; Michael Wilhelm; Julius N Fobil Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2016-11-17 Impact factor: 4.223
Authors: Augustine A Acquah; Clive D'Souza; Bernard J Martin; John Arko-Mensah; Paul K Botwe; Prudence Tettey; Duah Dwomoh; Afua Amoabeng Nti; Lawrencia Kwarteng; Sylvia Takyi; Isabella A Quakyi; Thomas G Robins; Julius N Fobil Journal: Int J Ind Ergon Date: 2021-02-23 Impact factor: 2.656
Authors: Sylvia A Takyi; Niladri Basu; John Arko-Mensah; Duah Dwomoh; Karel G Houessionon; Julius N Fobil Journal: Chemosphere Date: 2021-04-27 Impact factor: 8.943
Authors: Augustine A Acquah; Clive D'Souza; Bernard J Martin; John Arko-Mensah; Niladri Basu; Isabella A Quakyi; Thomas G Robins; Julius N Fobil Journal: Proc Hum Factors Ergon Soc Annu Meet Date: 2021-11-12
Authors: Emmanuel Asampong; Kwaku Dwuma-Badu; Judith Stephens; Roland Srigboh; Richard Neitzel; Niladri Basu; Julius N Fobil Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2015-10-16 Impact factor: 3.295