Processes and Challenges associated with informal electronic waste recycling at Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, Ghana.
Proc Hum Factors Ergon Soc Annu Meet
; 63(1): 938-942, 2019 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33664560
ABSTRACT
Electronic waste (e-waste) is a worldwide problem with regards to its increasing 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 obtained data 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 are needed that focus on locally adapted ergonomic interventions for effective recycling of e-waste and reducing the health risk to workers.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Hum Factors Ergon Soc Annu Meet
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Gana