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Health Risks Awareness of Electronic Waste Workers in the Informal Sector in Nigeria

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  • Chimere M. Ohajinwa

    (Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Peter M. Van Bodegom

    (Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Martina G. Vijver

    (Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg

    (Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, P.O. Box 9518, 2300 RA, 2311 EZ Leiden, The Netherlands
    Center for Safety of Substances and Products, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Insight into the health risk awareness levels of e-waste workers is important as it may offer opportunities for better e-waste recycling management strategies to reduce the health effects of informal e-waste recycling. Therefore, this study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices associated with occupational health risk awareness of e-waste workers compared with a control group (butchers) in the informal sector in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was used to assess health risk awareness of 279 e-waste workers (repairers and dismantlers) and 221 butchers from the informal sector in three locations in Nigeria in 2015. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic backgrounds, occupational history, knowledge, attitude, and work practices. The data was analysed using Analysis of Variance. The three job designations had significantly different knowledge, attitude, and practice mean scores ( p = 0.000), with butchers consistently having the highest mean scores. Only 43% of e-waste workers could mention one or more Personal Protective Equipment needed for their job compared with 70% of the butchers. The health risk awareness level of the e-waste workers was significantly lower compared with their counterparts in the same informal sector. A positive correlation existed between the workers’ knowledge and their attitude and practice. Therefore, increasing the workers’ knowledge may decrease risky practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Chimere M. Ohajinwa & Peter M. Van Bodegom & Martina G. Vijver & Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, 2017. "Health Risks Awareness of Electronic Waste Workers in the Informal Sector in Nigeria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:8:p:911-:d:108114
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Manomaivibool, Panate, 2009. "Extended producer responsibility in a non-OECD context: The management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in India," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 136-144.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chimere May Ohajinwa & Peter M. van Bodegom & Oladele Osibanjo & Qing Xie & Jingwen Chen & Martina G. Vijver & Willie J. G. M. Peijnenburg, 2019. "Health Risks of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Metals at Informal Electronic Waste Recycling Sites," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Chimere May Ohajinwa & Peter M. Van Bodegom & Qing Xie & Jingwen Chen & Martina G. Vijver & Oladele O. Osibanjo & Willie J.G.M. Peijnenburg, 2019. "Hydrophobic Organic Pollutants in Soils and Dusts at Electronic Waste Recycling Sites: Occurrence and Possible Impacts of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Lynda Andeobu & Santoso Wibowo & Srimannarayana Grandhi, 2023. "Environmental and Health Consequences of E-Waste Dumping and Recycling Carried out by Selected Countries in Asia and Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-28, July.
    4. Ibrahim Issah & John Arko-Mensah & Thomas P. Agyekum & Duah Dwomoh & Julius N. Fobil, 2022. "Health Risks Associated with Informal Electronic Waste Recycling in Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.

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