Evaluation of the Environmental Impacts of Electronic-Waste Management in Lagos Using Alaba International Market and Ikeja Computer Village as Case Studies

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this research was to assess the extent of the problems associated with inappropriate e-waste management and recycling practices. Electronic wastes (E-wastes) are generated from products that are designed for use with a maximum voltage of 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current. These wastes contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame-retardants, valuable metals such as aluminium, nickel, copper, and certain precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum group metals (PGMs) which pose both human and environmental health threats. They have negative impacts on the health of workers and nearby residents; hence, residents of buildings located around and beside e-wastes dumpsites were randomly selected for this study. Well, run-off and borehole water samples as well as soil samples from different sites in Alaba international market, and Ikeja computer village in Lagos, Nigeria were analyzed for zinc, lead, iron, copper, nickel and chromium. Using additional information from questionnaires and interviews, impacts of e-waste dumps on the health of workers and residents near the study areas were investigated. The results were analysed using descriptive frequency count and tables which confirmed the presence of heavy metals in soils and water samples of the case study areas and hence appropriate recommendations were outlined to address the menace of e-waste disposal and as well as the need for improvement in e-waste management and recycling for economic opportunities and improved health standard within the Lagos Metropolis.

Keywords: E-wastes, Environmental health, Heavy metals, Hazardous materials, Lagos metropolis

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