Unethical E-Waste Dismantling in Agbogbloshie Causes Harm to Ghana's Food Chain

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): IPEN- a global network of public interest NGOs and the watchdog organization Basel Action Network (BAN) has called upon the government to take immediate action to regulate release of toxic pollutants into the environment caused by illegal dismantling and burning of electronic waste, mainly imported from developed countries, at Agbogbloshie area in Ghana’s capital city of Accra.

A joint report published by researchers from both the organizations noted that the primitive e-waste dismantling activities around the suburb releases hazardous chemicals such as dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which finds their way into the city’s food chain. Nearly one-third of Accra’s food vendors pick up their inputs from Agbogbloshie, whose environment is highly contaminated with toxins from e-waste activities. As a result, food from that area may contain chemicals harmful to humans. Incidentally, the suburb is notorious for having the worst particulate pollution levels in the entire Accra region.

An earlier study published in 2013 had revealed high levels of lead in samples taken from Agbogbloshie scrap yard. Elevated levels of heavy metals were detected in blood samples collection from scrap yard workers.

According to IPEN and BAN, the Ghanaian government must take necessary measures to stop open burning of e-waste and other materials including tir4es, auto parts and insulated wires and cables.