Spatiality in Health: The Distribution of Health Conditions Associated with Electronic Waste Processing Activities at Agbogbloshie, Accra

Abstract

Background The United Nations Environment Program, UNEP (2005) estimates that between 20 and 50 million tonnes of e-waste are generated annually worldwide, accounting for about 5% of all municipal solid waste. In a recent global waste stream analysis, the composition of global quantity of e-waste generated in 2014 comprised of 1.0 Mt of lamps, 3.0 Mt of Small IT, 6.3 Mt of screens and monitors, 7.0 Mt of temperature exchange equipment (cooling and freezing equipment), 11.8 Mt of large equipment, and 12.8 Mt of small equipment and the global is projected to grow to 49.8 Mt in 2018, with an annual growth rate of 4 to 5 per cent [1, 2]. Not only is this figure representing the fastest growing municipal waste stream, it also has the potential of increasing further. In spite of the unprecedented growth in the global quantities, there is only limited recycling technology for disposal and safe management especially in the developing countries where most of the wastes end up and are recycled by informal means using rudimentary methods [3, 4].

Perceived and manifested health problems among informal e-waste handlers: A scoping review

“…[111819202122] Majority of the studies (7) were conducted in Ghana[1118192021222324] followed by two in India[1025] and one in Nigeria. [22] Among the selected ten studies, Five were quantitative studies,[1820212225] three were qualitative,[101119] one mixed-methods,[23] and one exploratory study. [24] All the quantitative studies were cross-sectional in nature and had either assessed or analyzed health problems among e-waste workers as their major objective,[1820212225] whereas the other studies had different objectives.…”

“…[22] Among the selected ten studies, Five were quantitative studies,[1820212225] three were qualitative,[101119] one mixed-methods,[23] and one exploratory study. [24] All the quantitative studies were cross-sectional in nature and had either assessed or analyzed health problems among e-waste workers as their major objective,[1820212225] whereas the other studies had different objectives. Only a few studies employed random sampling techniques (multistage) to sample the participants.…”

“…[2223] Only male workers formed the sampled population in the majority of the studies. [111920212425] Although few studies consisted of both male and female workers, the proportion of female workers in all those studies was almost negligible. [182223] The sampled population were predominantly of younger age group i.e.…”

“…between 15 and 30 years of age. [1820222325] The perceived and manifested health problems that appeared in the existing literature were categorized under five broad headings-physical injuries, respiratory problems, skin problems, musculoskeletal problems, and other general problems [Table 3]. The various factors which were highlighted in the studies have been summarized in Table 3.…”

“…Only one quantitative study used a semi-structured survey to explore the factors that may be associated with health problems among informal e-waste handlers,[22] whereas the remaining studies employed techniques such as physical examination, biological sampling, monitoring exposure, and recording activity in log book singly or in combination along with the survey. [18202125] In-depth, interviews and field notes were most common techniques in qualitative studies[1119] followed by unstructured interviews and checking medical records to explore the factors. [10] The only mixed method study conducted, employed survey, Focus Group Discussion, in-depth interview and observation as data collection techniques.…”