Assessing the Impact of Heavy Metal Contamination from E-Waste Recycling Activities at Agbogbloshie, Accra-Ghana

Abstract This study investigated the levels of heavy metal contamination in soil and ambient air at the Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site in Accra, Ghana. Focusing on cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn), the study assessed the concentration of these metals in particulate matter (PM₁₀) and soil samples collected from different activity zones within the site. The findings reveal significantly elevated levels of heavy metals at the dismantling and burning sites compared to residential areas. For example, cadmium concentrations in ambient air at the dismantling site averaged 112.847 ng/m³, while soil cadmium levels at the burning site averaged 4.74 mg/kg, both exceeding WHO limits. Chromium levels in air at the dismantling site averaged 942.71 ng/m³, and soil chromium levels at the burning site averaged 139.45 mg/kg, surpassing permissible limits. Copper concentrations in soil at the dismantling site were extremely high, averaging 10178.55 mg/kg. Lead concentrations in ambient air at the burning site averaged 1751.74 ng/m³, and soil lead levels averaged 2455.98 mg/kg, far above safe limits. These results highlight the severe environmental and health risks posed by ewaste recycling activities, emphasizing the need for regulatory interventions and improved waste management practices.