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02/02/24

Burning e-waste contaminating breast milk in Ghana

A young boy transported cables and other electronic devices in an old monitor. Source: Flickr
A boy carrying cables and other electronic devices in an old monitor at an e-waste dumpsite in Ghana. Burning of discarded electronics leads to smoky air that has severe health implications. Copyright: The Basel, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED).
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Season 4, Episode 26

[ACCRA] Located within Accra’s bustling Agbogbloshie market, Ghana’s infamous e-waste dumpsite poses serious health risks to residents and traders.

The burning of discarded electronics for valuable materials leads to smoky air that has severe health implications for the community.

In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Justice Baidoo speaks with Anita Asamoah, a researcher at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, who analysed the breast milk of mothers in this location and found cancer-causing metals.

Meanwhile, Mountain Research Institute president Vincent Kyere, suggests some lasting solutions to the environmental pollution at Agbogbloshie.

Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at [email protected]

Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station.

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.