Processes and challenges associated with informal electronic waste recycling at Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, Ghana
Date
2019
Authors
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Publisher
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) is a worldwide problem in terms of increasing production rate in the
global waste stream. Its recycling is known to be associated with adverse health outcomes. The recycling
site at Agbogbloshie is a major e-waste recycling hub which presents enormous health threats to the
residents in this community as a result of exposure to complex mixtures of chemicals associated with the
poor work methods employed. This paper describes the processes involved in e-waste recycling at
Agbogbloshie and discusses some of the associated health and psychosocial challenges. Direct field
observations and in-depth interviews of eight e-waste workers were conducted from November, 2017 to
December, 2017. Results from a thematic analysis of the data gathered; suggest that inappropriate recycling
methods, financial constraints, and the high physical demands of e-waste recycling work were associated
with adverse musculoskeletal health conditions among the workers. A more systematic ergonomic study is
currently being undertaken to quantify the associations between physical work exposures and worker
musculoskeletal health among e-waste workers in Agbogbloshie. Further studies that focus on locally
adapted ergonomic interventions for effective recycling of e-waste and reducing the health risk to workers
are needed.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
electronic waste, recycling, Agbogbloshie, Accra