Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS
Volume 82, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103096
Keywords
E-waste; Informal recycling; e-waste collection; Physical activity exposure; OPAQ; Agbogbloshie
Categories
Funding
- 1/2 West Africa-Michigan CHARTER in GEOHealth
- United States National Institutes of Health/Fogarty International Center (US NIH/FIC) [1U2RTW010110-01/5U01TW010101]
- Canada's International Development Research Center (IDRC) [108121-001]
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) [T42-OH008455]
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Occupational exposure associated with unstructured, informal e-waste recycling has not received much attention. This study aimed to quantify the physical exposures among informal e-waste workers in Africa. Significant differences were found in self-reported work exposures among the three main e-waste job categories, suggesting a risk for musculoskeletal disorders.
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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