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Health Risks Associated with Informal Electronic Waste Recycling in Africa: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14278-:d:960079
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karla Yohannessen & Daniela Pinto-Galleguillos & Denisse Parra-Giordano & Amaranta Agost & Macarena Valdés & Lauren M. Smith & Katherine Galen & Aubrey Arain & Felipe Rojas & Richard L. Neitzel & Pabl, 2019. "Health Assessment of Electronic Waste Workers in Chile: Participant Characterization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Krystin Carlson & Niladri Basu & Julius N. Fobil & Richard L. Neitzel, 2021. "Metal Exposures, Noise Exposures, and Audiometry from E-Waste Workers in Agbogbloshie, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Katrina N. Burns & Kan Sun & Julius N. Fobil & Richard L. Neitzel, 2016. "Heart Rate, Stress, and Occupational Noise Exposure among Electronic Waste Recycling Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Augustine A. Acquah & Clive D’Souza & Bernard J. Martin & John Arko-Mensah & Duah Dwomoh & Afua Asabea Amoabeng Nti & Lawrencia Kwarteng & Sylvia A. Takyi & Niladri Basu & Isabella A. Quakyi & Thomas , 2021. "Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Workers at an Informal Electronic-Waste Recycling Site in Agbogbloshie, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-21, February.
    5. 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.
    6. Damian Fischer & Fatima Seidu & Jennie Yang & Michael K. Felten & Cyryl Garus & Thomas Kraus & Julius N. Fobil & Andrea Kaifie, 2020. "Health Consequences for E-Waste Workers and Bystanders—A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Afua Asabea Amoabeng Nti & John Arko-Mensah & Paul K. Botwe & Duah Dwomoh & Lawrencia Kwarteng & Sylvia Akpene Takyi & Augustine Appah Acquah & Prudence Tettey & Niladri Basu & Stuart Batterman & Thom, 2020. "Effect of Particulate Matter Exposure on Respiratory Health of e-Waste Workers at Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-15, April.
    8. 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.
    9. Herve Lawin & Lucie Ayi Fanou & Antoine Vikkey Hinson & Marie Stolbrink & Parfait Houngbegnon & Nonvignon Marius Kedote & Benjamin Fayomi & Jacqueline Kagima & Patrick Katoto & Edgard Marius Dona Ouen, 2018. "Health Risks Associated with Occupational Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution in Commercial Drivers: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, September.
    10. Nonvignon Marius Kêdoté & Ghislain Emmanuel Sopoh & Steve Biko Tobada & Aymeric Joaquin Darboux & Pérince Fonton & Marthe Sandrine Sanon Lompo & Julius Fobil, 2022. "Perceived Stress at Work and Associated Factors among E-Waste Workers in French-Speaking West Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-9, January.
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    1. Anuli Njoku & Martin Agbalenyo & Janaya Laude & Taiwo Folake Ajibola & Mavis Asiwome Attah & Samuel Bruce Sarko, 2023. "Environmental Injustice and Electronic Waste in Ghana: Challenges and Recommendations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-17, December.

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    Keywords

    e-waste; Africa; health outcome;
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