Agbogbloshie e-waste pollution health impact

Two decades of research confirm that toxic chemicals from burning electronic waste in Ghana are accumulating in the bodies of local scrap dealers and residents.

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MyJoyOnline reports that toxic smoke from the Agbogbloshie e-waste site in Accra remains a major health hazard for workers and nearby communities.
Despite government interventions and new equipment, many residents continue to rely on open burning, leading to rising rates of hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory issues.

Toxic smoke generated by the burning of electronic waste at the Agbogbloshie site in Accra continues to expose workers and residents to harmful chemicals, according to MyJoyOnline. The report highlights that nearly two decades have passed since a 2012 study first identified direct human exposure to e-waste contaminants among local workers. That earlier research, led by Dr. Kwadwo Ansong of the Water Research Institute, found significantly elevated levels of iron, antimony, and lead in the urine of 20 male workers, indicating that metals were being absorbed through inhalation and skin contact with ash.

Recent studies published in 2019 and 2020 have expanded this evidence by detecting dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls in the blood and breast milk of workers and mothers at Ridge and Tema Hospitals. Pennante Bruce-Vanderpuije, a researcher at the Water Research Institute, noted that these findings suggest contamination has spread throughout the bloodstream, affecting developing organs in infants. While she warned that contaminated air, water, and soil could impact surrounding communities, she advised that the benefits of breastfeeding generally outweigh the risks posed by the detected chemicals.

The health burden is increasingly visible among the local workforce. Musah Abdulai, a 35-year-old scrap dealer with 15 years of experience, was hospitalized in July after his blood pressure spiked, a condition doctors attributed to his daily inhalation of toxic smoke. Similarly, trader Fuseni Fatawu, who suffers from headaches, coughs, high blood pressure, and diabetes, continues to work at the site because it remains his primary source of income. MyJoyOnline notes that for many, the immediate threat to their livelihood often outweighs the long-term health risks.

Government efforts to mitigate the crisis have included demolishing parts of the scrapyard in 2021 and distributing wire-stripping machines to reduce the need for open burning. However, Prof. Michael Ayamga-Adongo of the Environmental Protection Authority explained that some dealers reverted to burning copper because the machines were time-consuming. The current administration, under Minister Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, is urging the EPA to prosecute polluters and is purchasing copper directly from dealers to incentivize cleaner practices. Despite these measures, Dr. Louisa Ademki Matey of the Ghana Health Service reported that respiratory illness was the leading cause of outpatient attendance from 2022 to 2024, largely due to pollutants from open burning and dust.

Agbogbloshie e-waste smoke continues to cause chronic illness in Accra workers

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