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Püschel P, Agbeko KM, Amoabeng-Nti AA, Arko-Mensah J, Bertram J, Fobil JN, Waldschmidt S, Löhndorf K, Schettgen T, Lakemeyer M, Morrison A, Küpper T. Lead exposure by E-waste disposal and recycling in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2024; 259:114375. [PMID: 38604105 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Agbogbloshie in Ghana is the world's biggest dumpsite for the informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste is dismantled by rudimentary methods without personal or environmental protection. Workers and occupants are exposed to lead. There are no data so far about the extent and the consequences. We therefore analyzed blood lead levels (BLL) and creatinine levels (CL). METHODS Full blood samples and basic data (i.e. age, job, length of stay) were collected from dumpsite volunteers. BLL were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry; CL were assessed using the standard clinical laboratory procedures of Aachen Technical University. European BLL reference values were used as Ghana lacks its own. Statistical analysis was by non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U test), with p < 0.05. RESULTS Participants of both sexes (n = 327; 12-68 years; median age 23 years) were assessed. Most workers were aged <30 years. The collective's BLL was in pathological range for 77.7%; 14% had a BLL >10.0 μg/dl with symptoms consistent with high lead exposure including severe (6.5%) and intermediate (39%) renal disorder. BLL above 15.0 μg/dl were found in 5.9% of all workers which is the German threshold for those working with lead. Elevated CL in a pathological range were found in 254 participants. This is problematic as 75% of the lead entering the body is excreted via urine. CONCLUSION Most of our volunteers had pathological BLL and CL. Preventive strategies are necessary to reduce health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations (i.e. children, pregnant women).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Püschel
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany
| | - K M Agbeko
- University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - A A Amoabeng-Nti
- University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - J Arko-Mensah
- University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - J Bertram
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany
| | - J N Fobil
- University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - S Waldschmidt
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany
| | - K Löhndorf
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany
| | - T Schettgen
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany
| | - M Lakemeyer
- Lead Works Berzelius Stolberg GmbH, Stolberg, Germany
| | - A Morrison
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - T Küpper
- Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany.
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Eckhardt B, Kaifie A. Bridging the knowledge gap! Health outcomes in informal e-waste workers. J Occup Med Toxicol 2024; 19:11. [PMID: 38622584 PMCID: PMC11017591 DOI: 10.1186/s12995-024-00410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although several studies analyzed the impact of e-waste recycling on human health, most publications did not differ between e-waste workers and bystanders, such as residents. This could lead to an underestimation of health effects in workers. In addition, frequently reported surrogate findings do not properly reflect clinical significant health outcomes. The aim of this review was to analyze the direct health effects of informal e-waste recycling in informal e-waste workers. METHODS According to PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched 3 databases (Embase®, PubMed®, Web of Science) for studies from low- and middle-income countries published in German or English between 1980 and 1 November 2021. Of the 2613 hits, 26 studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal and case-control studies) met the specified criteria and were included. We categorized the results into hormonal, respiratory, renal, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal health and general symptoms in informal e-waste workers. RESULTS Exposure to e-waste was associated with altered lipid metabolism, thyroid hormonal imbalances, impaired fertility, renal dysfunction, increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, asthma, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, injuries in up to 89% and skin disorders in up to 87.5-100% of e-waste workers. CONCLUSION Due to inconsistent findings, weak associations or poor study quality, it has rarely been possible to establish a causal relationship between informal e-waste work and health effects, except for injuries or skin conditions. Besides high-quality studies, a collective national and international political focus on e-waste disposal is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béla Eckhardt
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
- Institute and Outpatient Unit for Occupational Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
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Amponsah LO, Sørensen PB, Nkansah MA, Vorkamp K, Yevugah LL, Darko G. Mercury contamination of two e-waste recycling sites in Ghana: an investigation into mercury pollution at Dagomba Line (Kumasi) and Agbogbloshie (Accra). ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:1723-1737. [PMID: 35633438 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01295-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated mercury pollution at two e-waste recycling sites in Ghana-Dagomba Line in Kumasi and Agbogbloshie in Accra. A total of 129 soil samples taken at 100 m and 50 m resolutions, respectively, for Dagomba Line and Agbogbloshie, were analysed for mercury using a Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry. Mercury concentrations from the recycling sites (ranging from 0.11 to 7.57 mg/kg Dagomba Line, and 0.01-4.36 mg/kg at Agbogbloshie) were significantly higher than that of the surrounding areas (0.01-0.17 mg/kg in Kumasi and 0.01-2.18 mg/kg in Accra) and unpolluted control sites (0.05 mg/kg in Kumasi and 0.02 mg/kg in Accra). The dismantling sites at both locations had the highest mercury concentrations. Furthermore, the concentrations were significantly higher at the Dagomba Line site in Kumasi than at Agbogbloshie, even though the Dagomba Line site is relatively recent. The mercury concentrations at both sites exceeded the pollution prevention and abatement level of 0.1 mg/kg. However, the estimated human health risk showed no potential human health effects. Moreover, the mercury concentrations in water and sediment (0.12-7.69 ng/L and 0.02-0.28 ng/L for Dagomba Line and Agbogbloshie, respectively) were below the US EPA standards. Findings from this study show that e-waste recycling can contaminate the topsoil with mercury, irrespective of the scale of the activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Otoo Amponsah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Marian Asantewah Nkansah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lily Lisa Yevugah
- Department of Geomatic Engineering, College of Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Godfred Darko
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
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Issah I, Arko-Mensah J, Agyekum TP, Dwomoh D, Fobil JN. Health Risks Associated with Informal Electronic Waste Recycling in Africa: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14278. [PMID: 36361155 PMCID: PMC9655142 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling in Africa has become a major public health concern. This review examined studies that report on the association between e-waste exposure and adverse human health outcomes in Africa. The review was conducted following the updated version of the Preferred Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA 2020) statement checklist. We included papers that were original peer-reviewed epidemiological studies and conference papers, written in English, and reported on e-waste exposure among human populations and any health-related outcome in the context of Africa. Our results from the evaluation of 17 studies found an association between informal e-waste recycling methods and musculoskeletal disease (MSD) symptoms and physical injuries such as back pains, lacerations, eye problems, skin burns, and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). In addition, the generation and release of particulate matter (PM) of various sizes, and toxic and essential metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), etc., during the recycling process are associated with adverse systemic intermediate health outcomes including cardiopulmonary function and DNA damage. This systematic review concludes that the methods used by e-waste recyclers in Africa expose them to increased risk of adverse health outcomes. However, there is a need for more rigorous research that moves past single pollutant analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Issah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra 00233, Ghana
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra 00233, Ghana
| | - Thomas P. Agyekum
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra 00233, Ghana
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra 00233, Ghana
| | - Julius N. Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra 00233, Ghana
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Perceived Stress at Work and Associated Factors among E-Waste Workers in French-Speaking West Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19020851. [PMID: 35055673 PMCID: PMC8775860 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Perceived stress at work is an important risk factor that affects the mental and physical health of workers. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with perceived stress in the informal electronic and electrical equipment waste processing sector in French-speaking West Africa. From 14 to 21 November 2019, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among e-waste workers in five countries in the French-speaking West African region, and participants were selected by stratified random sampling. Participants were interviewed on socio-demographic variables and characteristics related to e-waste management activities using a questionnaire incorporating Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (10-item version). Factors associated with perceived stress were determined by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 740 e-waste workers were interviewed. The mean age of the workers was 34.59 ± 11.65 years, with extremes of 14 and 74 years. Most of the interviewees were repairers (43.11%). The prevalence of perceived stress among the e-waste workers was 76.76%. Insufficient income, number of working days per week, perceived violence at work, and the interference of work with family responsibilities or leisure were the risk factors that were the most associated with perceived stress. The high prevalence of perceived stress and its associated factors call for consideration and improvement of the working conditions of e-waste workers.
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Takyi SA, Basu N, Arko-Mensah J, Dwomoh D, Houessionon KG, Fobil JN. Biomonitoring of metals in blood and urine of electronic waste (E-waste) recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 280:130677. [PMID: 33964762 PMCID: PMC8287752 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that e-waste recyclers may be exposed to potentially high levels of metals though associations between such exposures and specific work activities is not well established. In addition, studies have focused on metals traditionally biomonitored and there is no data on the exposure of recyclers to elements increasingly being used in new technologies. In the current study, levels of metals were measured in blood and urine of e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie (Ghana) and a control group. Blood and urine samples (from 100 e-waste recyclers and 51 controls) were analyzed for 17 elements (Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Ce, Cr, Eu, La, Mn, Nd, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tb, Tl, Y) using the ICP-MS. Most e-waste recyclers reported performing at least 4 different tasks in decreasing order as e-waste dismantling (54%), trading/selling of e-waste (45%), burning wires only (40%), and collecting wires after burning (34%). Mean levels of blood Pb, Sr, Tl, and urinary Pb, Eu, La, Tb, and Tl were significantly higher in recyclers versus controls. In general, the collectors and sorters tended to have higher elemental levels than other work groups. Blood Pb levels (mean 92.4 μg/L) exceeded the U.S. CDC reference level in 84% of the e-waste recyclers. Likewise, blood Cd, Mn, and urinary As levels in recyclers and controls were higher than in reference populations elsewhere. E-waste recyclers are exposed to metals traditionally studied (e.g., Pb, Cd, As) and several other technology-critical and rare earth elements which previously have not been characterized through human biomonitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia A Takyi
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Ghana.
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Ghana
| | - Karel G Houessionon
- Regional Institute of Public Health, Comlan Alfred Quenum, University of Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah, Benin
| | - Julius N Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Ghana
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Fobil J, Abotsi P, Acquah AA, Arko-Mensah J, D'Souza C, Martin B. Occupational and Environmental Health Effects of Informal Electronic Waste Recycling - A Focus on Agbogbloshie, Ghana. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 21ST CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ERGONOMICS ASSOCIATION (IEA 2021). VOLUME IV, HEALTHCARE AND HEALTHY WORK. INTERNATIONAL ERGONOMICS ASSOCIATION. CONGRESS 2021; 222:746-752. [PMID: 34263269 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74611-7_102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The unregulated and unorganized structure of informal electronic waste recycling worksites exposes workers to numerous occupational hazards. This context also presents research challenges in collecting exposure data to establish linkages with adverse health effects and development of risk-mitigating strategies. This paper presents some findings from a 5-year multinational and multi-institutional collaboration of academic and government partners, which documented extensive occupational and environmental health conditions at the Agbogbloshie electronic waste site in central Accra, Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG13, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Priscillah Abotsi
- Legon Center for International Affairs & Diplomcy (LECIAD), P.O. Box LG25, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Augustine A Acquah
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG13, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG13, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Clive D'Souza
- Center for Ergonomics, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2117, USA
| | - Bernard Martin
- Center for Ergonomics, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2117, USA
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Bosu WK, Bosu DK. Prevalence, awareness and control of hypertension in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248137. [PMID: 33667277 PMCID: PMC7935309 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a major health problem in Ghana, being a leading cause of admissions and deaths in the country. In the context of a changing food and health policy environment, we undertook a systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020177174) and a meta-analysis of the prevalence of adult hypertension, and its awareness and control in Ghana. METHODS We searched major databases including PubMed, Embase as well as Google Scholar and online digital collections of public universities of Ghana to locate relevant published and unpublished community-based articles up till April 2020. FINDINGS Eighty-five articles involving 82,045 apparently-healthy subjects aged 15-100 years were analyzed. In individual studies, the prevalence of hypertension, defined in most cases as blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mmHg, ranged from 2.8% to 67.5%. The pooled prevalence from the meta-analysis was 27.0% (95% CI 24.0%-30.0%), being twice as high in the coastal (28%, 95% CI: 24.0%-31.0%) and middle geo-ecological belts (29%, 95% CI: 25.0%-33.0%) as in the northern belt (13%, 95% CI: 7.0%-21.0%). The prevalence was similar by sex, urban-rural residence or peer-review status of the included studies. It did not appear to vary over the study year period 1976-2019. Of the subjects with hypertension, only 35% (95% CI: 29.0%-41.0%) were aware of it, 22% (95% CI: 16.0%-29.0%) were on treatment and 6.0% (95% CI: 3.0%-10.0%) had their blood pressure controlled. Sensitivity analyses corroborated the robust estimates. There was, however, high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.7%) across the studies which was partly explained by prevalent obesity in the subjects. CONCLUSION More than one in four adults in Ghana have hypertension. This high prevalence has persisted for decades and is similar in rural and urban populations. With the low awareness and poor control of hypertension, greater investments in cardiovascular health are required if Ghana is to meet the global target for hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Kofi Bosu
- Department of Public Health and Research, West African Health Organisation, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Dary Kojo Bosu
- Department of Paediatrics, St Dominic’s Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana
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