sly-ewasteinafrica-2021.pdf (903.84 kB)
E-watse in Africa: A serious threat to the health of children
journal contribution
posted on 2021-01-01, 00:00 authored by T S Lebbie, O D Moyebi, K A Asante, J Fobil, M N Brune-Drisse, W A Suk, Peter Sly, J Gorman, D O CarpenterWaste electronic and electrical equipment (e-waste) consists of used and discarded electrical and electronic items ranging from refrigerators to cell phones and printed circuit boards. It is frequently moved from developed countries to developing countries where it is dismantled for valuable metals in informal settings, resulting in significant human exposure to toxic substances. E-waste is a major concern in Africa, with large sites in Ghana and Nigeria where imported e-waste is dismantled under unsafe conditions. However, as in many developing countries, used electronic and electrical devices are imported in large quantities because they are in great demand and are less expensive than new ones. Many of these used products are irreparable and are discarded with other solid waste to local landfills. These items are then often scavenged for the purpose of extracting valuable metals by heating and burning, incubating in acids and other methods. These activities pose significant health risks to workers and residents in communities near recycling sites. E-waste burning and dismantling activities are frequently undertaken at e-waste sites, often in or near homes. As a result, children and people living in the surrounding areas are exposed, even if they are not directly involved in the recycling. While toxic substances are dangerous to individuals at any age, children are more vulnerable as they are going through important developmental processes, and some adverse health impacts may have long-term impacts. We review the e-waste situation in Africa with a focus on threats to children’s health
History
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthVolume
18Issue
16Article number
8488Pagination
1 - 25Publisher
MDPILocation
Basel, SwitzerlandPublisher DOI
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ISSN
1661-7827eISSN
1660-4601Language
engPublication classification
C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalUsage metrics
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ADVERSE BIRTH OUTCOMESAfricaair pollutionBLOOD MANGANESE LEVELSchildrencognitive functionDECREASED LUNG-FUNCTIONdevelopmentDIBENZO-P-DIOXINSDIOXIN-RELATED COMPOUNDSELECTRONIC-WASTEEnvironmental SciencesEnvironmental Sciences & Ecologye-wasteHEAVY-METALSLife Sciences & BiomedicinePOLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERSPOLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLSPOLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONSPublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthScience & Technology
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