By Faridat Salifu
Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a silent killer in West Africa, particularly in Ghana and Nigeria, where improper dumping and management practices are causing severe health crises among vulnerable populations, especially newborns and infants.
As the world grapples with a rapidly growing e-waste problem, it generated an alarming 53.6 metric tons of e-waste in 2019—a figure projected to escalate to 74 million tons by 2030 (Baldé et al. 2024).
This burgeoning crisis has positioned West Africa as a major hub for illegal e-waste shipments, primarily from Europe and North America.
Despite the existence of international regulations such as the Basel Convention, which seeks to control the transboundary movement of hazardous waste, the reality remains stark.
Approximately 3.3 million metric tons of e-waste crossed borders in an uncontrolled manner in 2019, often disguised as used electronics or concealed within second-hand products (Baldé et al. 2022).
In many West African countries, informal workers primarily handle this e-waste, dismantling components in hazardous conditions that release toxic substances like lead and cadmium into the environment.
In cities such as Lagos, these informal workers engage in labor-intensive practices, including burning e-waste materials, further exacerbating the pollution and health risks associated with these sites.
Recent research conducted in Accra, Ghana, and Lagos, Nigeria, has illuminated the alarming health implications of residing near e-waste sites. The study focused on two notorious dumping grounds:
Agbogbloshie in Accra and Solous II in Lagos. Both sites are situated in densely populated areas, with Agbogbloshie located near the Odaw River and surrounded by over two million residents.
The research utilized Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data over a decade, revealing a disturbing trend: children born within 20 kilometers of these sites face significantly higher neonatal and infant mortality rates.
The analysis indicates that children living near these dumps experience a 10-percentage-point increase in mortality rates compared to those residing farther away.
Alarmingly, this increase is not immediate; it tends to manifest approximately three years after the sites become operational, suggesting a gradual accumulation of environmental contaminants to critical levels.
This delay highlights the insidious nature of e-waste pollution, where the effects on health may not be readily apparent but are nonetheless devastating.
One critical pathway for this public health crisis is water contamination. The Odaw River, which frequently floods, carries toxic leachate from the Agbogbloshie dumpsite into local water supplies.
While this water is not typically used for drinking, it is employed for cleaning, bathing, and urban agriculture, creating indirect exposure to hazardous substances for nearby communities.
Children living downstream from the river face even higher mortality risks than those upstream, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of improper waste management.
Food contamination poses another significant risk. Locally produced food, including vegetables and livestock, serves as a major route for toxin exposure. Studies have shown elevated levels of heavy metals in eggs and lettuce sampled near Agbogbloshie (Petrlik et al. 2019).
Livestock that drink from contaminated water sources can introduce toxins into the food chain, further compounding health risks for communities reliant on local agriculture. The interconnectedness of environmental contamination and local food practices underscores the complexity of the health crisis.
Air pollution resulting from the burning of electronic equipment is yet another contributor to adverse health outcomes, although data on this pathway remains limited.
Observational studies have found exceptionally high concentrations of particulate matter associated with e-waste burning at both Agbogbloshie and Solous II (Aderemi and Falade 2012; Kwarteng et al. 2020).
Given that air pollution is a well-documented cause of infant mortality, this pathway likely represents a significant threat to child health and well-being.
The findings of this research underscore the urgent need for stronger regulations and effective management strategies for e-waste in West Africa. Countries in the region must confront the growing e-waste crisis head-on, particularly its health implications for vulnerable populations.
Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, including stricter enforcement of existing regulations, the establishment of formal waste management systems, and community education initiatives to raise awareness about the dangers of e-waste.
In conclusion, the evidence is clear: e-waste is not merely an environmental issue; it represents a profound public health emergency that demands immediate attention and action.
Without concerted efforts to tackle the e-waste crisis, the consequences of improper disposal will continue to claim innocent lives and perpetuate a cycle of health crises in West Africa. The time for action is now, as the health of countless children hangs in the balance.
