Discarders
of electronic goods expect them to be recycled properly. But almost all
such devices contain
toxic chemicals which, even if they are recyclable, make it expensive to
do so. As a result, illegal dumping has become a lucrative business.
Photographer
Kevin McElvaney documents Agbogbloshie, a former wetland in Accra,
Ghana, which is home to the world’s largest e-waste dumping site. Boys
and young men smash devices to get to the metals, especially copper.
Injuries, such as burns, untreated wounds, eye damage, lung and back
problems, go hand in hand with chronic nausea, anorexia, debilitating
headaches and respiratory problems. Most workers die from cancer in
their 20s
Adam Nasara, 25, uses Styropor, an insulating material from refrigerators, to light a fireOld monitors are used to build bridgesIbrahim Abdulai, 23, is a ‘chief’. Although
no one works for him, he is able to decide who is allowed to burn goods
in this particular area of the siteCows with open wounds graze on the siteAdjoa, nine, sells small water bags to the workers. They drink it and use it to extinguish fires.PCs and electronic devices that look in reasonable condition are sold untested in AccraRahman Dauda, 12, started working here three
years ago and burns e-waste with a few friends. ‘Whenever possible I go
to school,’ he saysPieter Adongo, 17, holds a Polaroid photo of
himself and his friends Desmond Atanga, 17, and Sampson Kwabena, 16.
Many young people believe this is just a temporary situation and hope to
find their way out of it one dayJohn Mahama, 21, suffers from insomnia and has debilitating headaches, but continues to workKwabena Labobe, 10, plays on the site. His parents are not able to send him to school and forbid him to burn e-wasteAdam Latif, 21
Discarders
of electronic goods expect them to be recycled properly. But almost all
such devices contain
toxic chemicals which, even if they are recyclable, make it expensive to
do so. As a result, illegal dumping has become a lucrative business.
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