Agbogbloshie, Ghana
A pair of recent studies have identified toxic substances in the ground and in eggs from chickens foraging in Agbogbloshie, Ghana.
A report from the Basel Action Network (BAN) and anti-toxics advocacy network IPEN identified high levels of dioxins, brominated dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) in the eggs of free-range chickens in the area where e-scrap burning occurs. The study was covered by The Guardian newspaper.
Different research, published in February in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, reported that e-scrap burning in the Agbogbloshie district of Accra resulted in a complex composition of chlorinated, brominated and mixed halogenated dioxins in the soils. Phys.org reported on that research.
Agbogbloshie has been one of the international sites of industry and media discussion for years. It’s been portrayed very differently by various stakeholders, some of whom describe it as a polluted graveyard for end-of-life imported electronics and others who emphasize it’s a hub for local repair and sale of used devices.
Photo credit: Martin Holzknecht, Arnika (IPEN report)
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