E-waste interventions in Ghana

Kwadwo Ansong Asante, John A. Pwamang, Yaw Amoyaw-Osei, Joseph Addo Ampofo
2016 Reviews on Environmental Health  
AbstractElectrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has become an emerging environmental and human health problem in the world in the 21st century. Recently, the developing nations of West Africa (e.g. Ghana and Nigeria) have become a major destination for e-waste worldwide. In Ghana, the e-waste recyclers use primitive methods (mechanical shredding and open burning) to remove plastic insulation from copper cables. This technique can release highly toxic chemicals and severely affect the
more » ... nt and human health if improperly managed. It is as a result of the adverse impact on human health that some interventions are being made in Ghana to reduce exposure. The present mode of recycling/dismantling, which happens at Agbogbloshie must be replaced by official receiving/recycling centers to be established. Currently, equipment to strip both large and small cables are available in the country
doi:10.1515/reveh-2015-0047 pmid:26812848 fatcat:h5ukcylpgrcgvmzgaivw3varje