Effects of E-Waste

                                                                             waste

In my last blog, I talk more abut Agbloboshie and how it is one of the main area in Ghana destroy by E-waste even though it is just an ordinary city in Ghana with thousands of residents, where people shop, drive around, play sport and work like any other city. People living in this area is infected by the toxic materials. Some of these toxic materials also have effect on the environment and animals.

Humans 

                                                                    

Children on the frontline

Most of the people living in Agbobloshie is effected by E-waste but children are the primary victim of E-waste. They are the ones mostly risking their life in this toxic place called Agbogbloshie. Agbogbloshie is a city in Ghana that have one of the largest E-waste dump site and remember this is where people live and work. Young children will make their way through this toxic place, desperate to burn any unwanted  electronic device originating from develop countries just to get few ounces of aluminum, copper, brass or even zinc. According to Moukaddem Karimeh,  " Nearly three percent of E- waste is composed of toxins including lead, arsenic, cardamom, hexavelent chromium and mercury. Mercury and lead are particularly dangerous neurotics that bio-accumulate in children's bodies over time".  Based on the toxins that most children are exposed too, lead them coughing blood. At the end of the day from working, most of these children will feel dizzy and have headache because they are exposed to these metals. "Children have about eight times the risk of adults when exposed to mental dust and the blood measurement in children have high levels of cadmium and lead" Moukaddem Karimeh. However, children living in this area have no choice but to do whatever it takes to earn a living.

The Environment

                                                         agbogbloshie

This is  a photo of Agbogbloshie shows some old computers in the river form as a bridge for people to pass through to get to the other area. The old electronics devices is winding up in landfills causing toxic metals to leach into the ground. People who work in Agbobloshie don't have the knowledge to recycle e-waste properly. E-waste recycling is not regulated or monitor therefore the soil is easily contaminated. The improper ways of recycling have also lead to contaminated water for the people in Agbobloshie.

Ecosystem

photo

Animals in Agbobloshie is affected by e-waste due to the contaminated soil and air. This is causing serious damage towards the animals in agbobloshie. Animals are not only inhaling the contaminated air but also consuming the plant that is contaminated. The contaminated soil is very harmful to the plant that can lead to them not growing or producing food. Heavy metals in landfill is causing tissue and gill damage among many species of fish.


All in all, Majority of the population of Agbogbloshie, children tend to be the primary victim affected by E-waste.  Most of the time, children will come home from school with no food to eat, walk their way through this toxic place just to earn a living and putting their health at risk. In my next blog post, I will be focusing more on the health issues and ways that the people of Ghana are using to prevent the problem.