The Global Environmental Hazard of E-Waste and its Threat to Human Security: A Case Study of Agbogbloshie E-Waste Dumpsite

Abstract

The rapid and intense digitization of most developing economies has set these nations on a course towards becoming the most prolific source of e-waste generation in the coming years. The adverse implications for health due to exposure to hazardous e-waste have long been recognized. However, questions remain regarding the efforts made by relevant Ghanaian authorities in implementing the key international convention on e-waste in Ghana and also, the effect e-waste has on people living in and around Agbogbloshie dumpsite. A descriptive study was carried out with the aim of assessing the extent the global e-waste problem is negatively affecting the environment and the workers and dwellers in and around Agbogbloshie e-waste dump site. This study involved 30 participants from the Agbogbloshie community in Accra, Ghana, and subject matter experts. The results showed that e-waste workers and permanent residents had common environmental exposures and hence, shared respiratory and other health symptoms. Findings also revealed that Government and other agencies have since made considerable efforts to ensure the problem of electronic waste is effectively managed. However, a lot more remains to be done in that regard. The researcher suggested that there should be immediate policy development and law enforcement on a ban of crude e-waste recycling practices such as open-air burning which poses environmental and human health hazards. Also, both e-waste workers and permanent residents should be educated on the hazards and risk associated with their work or otherwise, stays in the Agbogbloshie community and how they can minimize exposures. Lastly, the researcher recommended that there is the need to adopt modernized and less hazardous e-waste recycling practices to help minimize exposure levels and hence protect both workers as well as vulnerable populations nearby.