Processes and challenges associated with informal electronic waste recycling at Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, Ghana

dc.contributor.authorAcquah, A.A.
dc.contributor.authorArko-Mensah, J.
dc.contributor.authorD'Souza, C.
dc.contributor.authoret.al
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-10T15:03:44Z
dc.date.available2024-09-10T15:03:44Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.descriptionResearch Article
dc.description.abstractElectronic 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.
dc.identifier.otherDOI 10.1177/1071181319631219
dc.identifier.urihttps://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/42422
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society
dc.subjectelectronic waste
dc.subjectrecycling
dc.subjectAgbogbloshie
dc.subjectAccra
dc.titleProcesses and challenges associated with informal electronic waste recycling at Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, Ghana
dc.typeArticle

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