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Ruiz ME, Bolibar M, Sánchez-Mira N. Informal Employment Under the Skin: Informality and Health Inequalities Among Chilean Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES 2024; 54:7-20. [PMID: 37792560 DOI: 10.1177/27551938231204285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Informal employment has been identified as an important social determinant of health. This article addresses the processes through which informal employment affects workers' health in Chile. The study's methodological approach was based on qualitative interviews with 34 formal and informal workers. The findings show how workers perceive informal employment as negatively affecting their mental and physical health through different dimensions of their living and working conditions. Incorporating a gender perspective proves to be integral to the analysis of these processes. The article concludes by discussing how neoliberalism underlies such vulnerability processes and negatively impacts on the population's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisol E Ruiz
- Instituto de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Mireia Bolibar
- Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT) - Institut d'Estudis del Treball (IET), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
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Liao CW, Chiang TL. Occupational injuries among non-standard workers in the Taiwan construction industry. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2022; 82:301-313. [PMID: 36031258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Global changes in the labor force have led to an increase in non-standard employment (NSE) workers, particularly apparent in the construction industry. These workers have a higher risk of occupational injury and negative health-related outcomes. METHOD In this study, relevant literature and the database for construction accidents are examined to identify the classification of NSE in the Taiwan construction industry. Accident reports from 2000 to 2018 are extracted from case reports of the Northern Occupational Safety and Health Center of Taiwan. Pearson's chi-squared test are then employed to analyze a total of 1,612 occupational fatality cases in the construction industry to explore the differences in occupational injuries between NSE and standard employment (SE). Further, characteristics of occupational injuries for different types of NSE in the construction industry are analyzed. RESULTS The NSE occupational injury rate for older workers over 60 years old is higher, especially for self-employed workers taking on technical work. NSE workers are more expected to suffer occupational fatalities in the small-scale, non-public, and repair projects. Occupational injuries involving self-employed and temporary agency workers are clearly regionally concentrated. Temporary agency workers involved in occupational injuries are most engaged in non-technical work and movement for worker motion with their unfamiliarity with the worksite. Most enterprises did not perform safety management on construction sites for occupational injuries involving NSE workers, especially for self-employed workers. CONCLUSIONS The results show that the hazard characteristics of NSE workers are clearly different from SE workers. NSE workers face inferior job security and protection, especially for self-employed workers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The results can be used to establish effective occupational safety management policies and programs more efficiently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wen Liao
- Department of Civil Engineering and Hazard Mitigation, China University of Technology, No.56, Section 3, Hsinlong Road, Taipei 116, Taiwan.
| | - Tsung-Lung Chiang
- Northern Occupational Safety and Health Centers of Occupational Safety and Health Administration of Ministry of Labor of Taiwan, No.439, Zhongping Rd., Xinzhuang Dist., New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
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Mlangeni N, Du Preez K, Mokone M, Malotle M, Kisting S, Ramodike J, Zungu M. HIV and TB Workplace Program for Street Vendors: A Situational Analysis. New Solut 2021; 32:30-39. [PMID: 34955072 DOI: 10.1177/10482911211069621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In South Africa, 15 percent of informal economy workers are street vendors. The organization of occupational health services in the country is fragmented and does not cover informal workers. Conditions of work make informal workers extremely vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) exposure. In this study, a qualitative risk assessment was conducted among street vendors, followed by focus group discussions. Interpretation of data was according to major themes extracted from discussions. Workers are exposed to several occupational health hazards identified during the risk assessment. There is a lack of workplace HIV and TB services and overall poor access to healthcare. Street vendors, especially females, are at higher risk of HIV, due to gender inequalities. Comprehensive gender-sensitive training on occupational health and safety, HIV, and TB should be prioritized. To reach Universal Health Coverage and achieve the Sustainable Developmental Goals' targets, the health system should improve services for informal economy workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nosimilo Mlangeni
- HIV TB in the Workplace Unit, 71899National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Karen Du Preez
- HIV TB in the Workplace Unit, 71899National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Moses Mokone
- HIV TB in the Workplace Unit, 71899National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Molebogeng Malotle
- HIV TB in the Workplace Unit, 71899National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Sophia Kisting
- Independent Occupational Medicine Specialist, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Ramodike
- HIV TB in the Workplace Unit, 71899National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Muzimkhulu Zungu
- HIV TB in the Workplace Unit, 71899National Institute of Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Santa Rios A, Fobil J, Basu N. Methylmercury Measurements in Dried Blood Spots from Electronic Waste Workers Sampled from Agbogbloshie, Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2183-2188. [PMID: 34010481 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Biomonitoring methylmercury (MeHg) exposure is problematic in resource-limited settings and with difficult-to-access populations where traditional biomarker approaches present logistical, economic, and ethical issues. The present study aimed to validate the use of dried blood spots (DBS) to assess MeHg exposure in a real-world contaminated field setting. Whole-blood and DBS samples were collected from electronic waste workers (n = 20) from Agbogbloshie (Ghana) in 2017, and DBS were also artificially created in the laboratory using the field-collected blood. Whole-blood MeHg concentrations averaged 0.84 µg/L, which was not different from levels measured in the corresponding DBS samples (field-collected or artificially created). Whole-blood MeHg comprised 61% of the blood total Hg concentrations. Linear regression analysis revealed no differences in MeHg concentrations between whole-blood samples and field-collected DBS (slope 0.89, R2 = 0.94) and between field and laboratory DBS (slope 0.89, R2 = 0.96). The MeHg content in DBS punch blanks averaged 0.86 pg and thus was not of concern. These findings indicate that DBS are a suitable tool for assessing MeHg exposure in real-world environmental settings that may be heavily contaminated. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2183-2188. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Santa Rios
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada
| | - Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental and Occupational Health Science, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada
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Acquah AA, D'Souza C, Martin BJ, Arko-Mensah J, Botwe PK, Tettey P, Dwomoh D, Nti AA, Kwarteng L, Takyi S, Quakyi IA, Robins TG, Fobil JN. A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL WORK EXPOSURES AMONG ELECTRONIC WASTE WORKERS AT AGBOGBLOSHIE, ACCRA GHANA. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS 2021; 82:103096. [PMID: 33767518 PMCID: PMC7986988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ergon.2021.103096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
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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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine A. Acquah
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Clive D'Souza
- Center for Ergonomics, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Bernard J. Martin
- Center for Ergonomics, Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Paul K. Botwe
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Prudence Tettey
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Afua Amoabeng Nti
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lawrencia Kwarteng
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Sylvia Takyi
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Isabella A. Quakyi
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Thomas G. Robins
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Julius N. Fobil
- Department of Biological Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Cossa H, Scheidegger R, Leuenberger A, Ammann P, Munguambe K, Utzinger J, Macete E, Winkler MS. Health Studies in the Context of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1555. [PMID: 33562086 PMCID: PMC7914471 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) is an important livelihood activity in many low- and middle-income countries. It is widely acknowledged that there are a myriad of health risk and opportunities associated with ASM. However, little is known with regard to which aspects of health have been studied in ASM settings. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed publications, using readily available electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception to 14 July 2020. Relevant information was synthesized with an emphasis on human and environmental exposures and health effects in a context of ASM. Our search yielded 2764 records. After systematic screening, 176 health studies from 38 countries were retained for final analysis. Most of the studies (n = 155) focused on health in ASM extracting gold. While many of the studies included the collection of environmental and human samples (n = 154), only few (n = 30) investigated infectious diseases. Little attention was given to vulnerable groups, such as women of reproductive age and children. Our scoping review provides a detailed characterisation of health studies in ASM contexts. Future research in ASM settings should address health more comprehensively, including the potential spread of infectious diseases, and effects on mental health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hermínio Cossa
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.L.); (P.A.); (J.U.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, C.P. 1929 Maputo, Mozambique; (K.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Rahel Scheidegger
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, P.O. Box, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Andrea Leuenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.L.); (P.A.); (J.U.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Priska Ammann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.L.); (P.A.); (J.U.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Khátia Munguambe
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, C.P. 1929 Maputo, Mozambique; (K.M.); (E.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University Eduardo Mondlane, C.P. 257 Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.L.); (P.A.); (J.U.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eusébio Macete
- Manhiça Health Research Centre, C.P. 1929 Maputo, Mozambique; (K.M.); (E.M.)
- National Directorate of Public Health, Ministry of Health, C.P. 264 Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Mirko S. Winkler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland; (A.L.); (P.A.); (J.U.); (M.S.W.)
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland
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Takyi SA, Basu N, Arko-Mensah J, Dwomoh D, Nti AAA, Kwarteng L, Acquah AA, Robins TG, Fobil JN. Micronutrient Status of Electronic Waste Recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E9575. [PMID: 33371401 PMCID: PMC7767402 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that micronutrient status is adversely impacted by toxic metals (e.g., cadmium, lead, and arsenic) exposures; however, the micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers who are amongst the highest metal-exposed groups is not known. This study, therefore, assessed the micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers using dietary information (2-day 24-h recall survey) and biomarker data (whole blood and urine) among 151 participants (100 e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie and 51 controls at Madina Zongo from the Accra region, Ghana) in March 2017. Biomarker levels of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were analyzed by the ICP-MS. Linear regression models were used to assess associations ofwork-related factors and sociodemographic characteristics with micronutrient intake, blood, and urine micronutrient levels. The results showed that apart from Fe and Zn, e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie did not meet the day-to-day dietary requirements for Ca, Cu, Se, and Mg intake. Except for the low levels of Mg and Fe detected in blood of e-waste recyclers, all other micronutrients measured in both blood and urine of both groups fell within their reference range. Exposure to biomass burning was associated with lower blood levels of Fe, Mg, and Zn among the e-waste recyclers. Further, among e-waste recyclers, significant relationships were found between the number of years spent recycling e-waste and urinary Ca and Cu excretion. Given that, some dietary and blood levels of micronutrients were below their reference ranges, the implementation of evidence-based nutrition strategies remains necessary among e-waste recyclers to reduce their risk of becoming malnourished.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia A. Takyi
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana; (J.A.-M.); (A.A.A.N.); (L.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada;
| | - John Arko-Mensah
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana; (J.A.-M.); (A.A.A.N.); (L.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Duah Dwomoh
- Department of Statistics, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana;
| | - Afua Asabea Amoabeng Nti
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana; (J.A.-M.); (A.A.A.N.); (L.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Lawrencia Kwarteng
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana; (J.A.-M.); (A.A.A.N.); (L.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Augustine A. Acquah
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana; (J.A.-M.); (A.A.A.N.); (L.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.N.F.)
| | - Thomas G. Robins
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Julius N. Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra +233, Ghana; (J.A.-M.); (A.A.A.N.); (L.K.); (A.A.A.); (J.N.F.)
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Mathee A, Street R, Teare J, Naicker N. Lead exposure in the home environment: An overview of risks from cottage industries in Africa. Neurotoxicology 2020; 81:34-39. [PMID: 32835764 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Mathee
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Environmental Health, School of Behavioral and Lifestyle Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Renée Street
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - June Teare
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Environmental Health, School of Behavioral and Lifestyle Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
| | - Nisha Naicker
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Environmental Health, School of Behavioral and Lifestyle Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH), a Division of National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Cazabon D, Fobil JN, Essegbey G, Basu N. Structured identification of response options to address environmental health risks at the Agbogbloshie electronic waste site. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2017; 13:980-991. [PMID: 28742281 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) is a growing problem across low- and middle-income countries. Agbogbloshie (Accra, Ghana) is among the world's largest and most notorious e-waste sites, with an increasing number of studies documenting a range of environmental health risks. The present study aimed to provide national, regional, and international stakeholders with a summary of expert opinion on the most pressing problems arising from e-waste activities at Agbogbloshie, as well as suggested solutions to address these problems. Structured interviews were performed between April and September 2015 that used a Logical Framework Approach as a scoping exercise to gauge problems and benefits of e-waste recycling, and the Delphi methodology to identify response options. Stakeholders (n = 19) from 15 institutions were interviewed with 2 rounds of a Delphi Poll: open-ended interviews followed by an electronic questionnaire in which experts ranked various proposed response options based on health, environmental, social, and economic benefit and feasibility. The goal was to prioritize potential interventions that would address identified problems at Agbogbloshie. Experts identified the most beneficial and feasible options in decreasing rank order as follows and prefaced by the statement "it is recommended that": 1) there be further research on the health effects; 2) e-waste workers be given appropriate personal protective equipment; 3) the Ministry of the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation re-visit Ghana's Hazardous Waste Bill; 4) e-waste workers be involved in the planning process of interventions and are be kept informed of any results; and 5) there be increased education and sensitization on hazards related to e-waste for both workers and the general public. These solutions are discussed in relation to ongoing dialogue at the international level concerning e-waste recycling interventions, with strengths and weaknesses examined for the Ghanaian context. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:980-991. ©2017 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Cazabon
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julius N Fobil
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - George Essegbey
- CSIR-STEPRI - Science and Technology Policy Research Institute, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Wright CY, Reddy T, Mathee A, Street RA. Sun Exposure, Sun-Related Symptoms, and Sun Protection Practices in an African Informal Traditional Medicines Market. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14101142. [PMID: 28956826 PMCID: PMC5664643 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Revised: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Informal workers in African market trade have little formal protection against sun exposure. We aimed to examine sun exposure, sun-related symptoms, and sun protection practices in an informal occupational setting. Trained fieldworkers asked 236 workers in the Warwick Junction market about their workplace, skin and eye sensitivity and skin colour, symptoms faced at work during the summer due to heat, and preventive measures. Data were analyzed using univariate logistic regression to assess the effect of gender and the risk of experiencing symptoms to sun exposure in relation to pre-existing diseases and perception of sun exposure as a hazard. Of the 236 participants, 234 were Black African and 141 (59.7%) were female. Portable shade was the most commonly used form of sun protection (69.9%). Glare from the sun (59.7%) and excessive sweating (57.6%) were commonly reported sun-related health symptoms. The use of protective clothing was more prevalent among those who perceived sun exposure as a hazard (p = 0.003). In an informal occupational setting, sun exposure was high. Protective clothing and portable shade to eliminate heat and bright light were self-implemented. Action by local authorities to protect informal workers should consider sun exposure to support workers in their efforts to cope in hot weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caradee Y Wright
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, 1 Soutpansberg Road, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
- Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
| | - Tarylee Reddy
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban 70380, South Africa.
| | - Angela Mathee
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Houghton 2041, South Africa.
- Environmental Health Department, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa.
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa.
| | - Renée A Street
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban 4091, South Africa.
- Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal 4041, South Africa.
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Srigboh RK, Basu N, Stephens J, Asampong E, Perkins M, Neitzel RL, Fobil J. Multiple elemental exposures amongst workers at the Agbogbloshie electronic waste (e-waste) site in Ghana. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 164:68-74. [PMID: 27580259 PMCID: PMC5048578 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.08.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is growing worldwide and raising a number of environmental health concerns. One of the largest e-waste sites is Agbogbloshie (Ghana). While several toxic elements have been reported in Agbogbloshie's environment, there is limited knowledge of human exposures there. The objectives of this study were to characterize exposures to several essential (copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc) and toxic (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead) elements in the urine and blood of male workers (n = 58) at Agbogbloshie, as well as females (n = 11) working in activities that serve the site, and to relate these exposures to sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. The median number of years worked at the site was 5, and the average worker indicated being active in 6.8 tasks (of 9 key e-waste job categories). Additionally, we categorized four main e-waste activities (in brackets % of population self-reported main activity): dealing (22.4%), sorting (24.1%), dismantling (50%), and burning (3.4%) e-waste materials. Many blood and urinary elements (including essential ones) were within biomonitoring reference ranges. However, blood cadmium (1.2 μg/L median) and lead (6.4 μg/dl; 67% above U.S. CDC/NIOSH reference level), and urinary arsenic (38.3 μg/L; 39% above U.S. ATSDR value) levels were elevated compared to background populations elsewhere. Workers who burned e-waste tended to have the highest biomarker levels. The findings of this study contribute to a growing body of work at Agbogbloshie (and elsewhere) to document that individuals working within e-waste sites are exposed to a number of toxic elements, some at potentially concerning levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Kofi Srigboh
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Niladri Basu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Judith Stephens
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Asampong
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Marie Perkins
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Richard L Neitzel
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Julius Fobil
- Department of Biological, Environmental, and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Abstract
The majority of workers in the global south, and increasing numbers in the north, work in the informal economy. Most are de facto or de jure excluded from services and regulation of occupational health and safety. Significant recent improvements in classification of status of informal employment have enabled improved labor force data; it has not been matched by progress with data collection on work-related risks, hazards, and health outcomes for informal workers. This special edition describes some of the risks and hazards, but focuses on strategies and interventions-such as taking occupational health and safety services to markets where informal workers operate, legal reforms, and designing appropriate equipment. The diversity of occupations and work places (many in public space) mean that new stakeholders such as local municipalities, informal workers associations and unions, as well as health professionals, need to be considered when striving for a more inclusive occupational health and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francie Lund
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa Social Protection Programme, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO)
| | - Rajen Naidoo
- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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