A preliminary assessment of physical work exposures among electronic waste workers at Agbogbloshie,Accra Ghana |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana;2. Center for Ergonomics, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA;3. Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA |
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Abstract: | Occupational exposure associated with unstructured, informal e-waste recycling has received very limited attention. This study aimed to quantify the occupational physical exposures among informal e-waste workers at the largest e-waste site in Africa.A cross-sectional field survey of 163 male e-waste workers was conducted using a self-report occupational physical activity questionnaire, along with direct work observations, and pedometer estimates of walking activity for a subset of workers (n = 42).Results indicated significant differences in self-reported 7-day work exposures among the three main e-waste job categories, namely, collectors (n = 70), dismantlers (n = 73) and burners (n = 20). Prolonged walking, sitting and standing on five or more days in the workweek was frequently reported by collectors (87%), dismantlers (82%) and burners (60%), respectively. Nearly 90% of collectors and burners and 60% of dismantlers reported lifting and carrying on five or more days in the workweek.The exposure combinations identified suggest a risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Findings call attention to the need for research examining potential associations between physical exposures and MSDs affecting e-waste workers in Agbogbloshie. The high exposure variability both between and within workers has implications for future exposure assessments conducted in unregulated, informal work settings. |
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Keywords: | E-waste Informal recycling e-waste collection Physical activity exposure OPAQ Agbogbloshie |
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