Understanding exposure of informal, displaced and migrant populations to e-waste processing residues in the context of Nigeria

Background:
The increasing production and generation of electronic waste has globally seen increased levels of export from developed to developing countries. A range of policies, legislation or regulations have been introduced in many regions, and they are often not supported by strong implementation strategies and infrastructure. Global trade in e-waste has seen many African countries as the destination of e-waste , as well as significant internally generated sources as digital technology has become more accessible. This waste is predominately controlled by the informal sector where collection activities, repair shops and operations for disassembly and recovery of valuable metals release a range of hazardous substances. This study, focused on the informal e-waste sector in Nigeria. Using Ghana as a comparison, the socio-demographic characteristics of informal sector was reviewed and is shown to thrive and establish material handling hubs, as good income can be earned and waste continues to be readily available.

Methods:
Thirty-six peer reviewed studies were analysed, retrieved from a range of established sources including Web of Science and PubMed databases . Studies were identified using keywords that included e-waste or waste electrical and electronic equipments or informal waste sector or internally displaced persons or Nigeria.

Results:
The findings reveal the informal processing is hazardous for both workers and residents with limited understanding of personal protection, health risks and wider environmental harm. The processing of raw waste and releases of a cocktail of potentially harmful substances and uncontrolled disposal of residues drives the exposure of workers, and residents in processing locations. This affects the local environment including the food chain with accumulation in open dumpsites (local landfills) and by open burning, and acid leaching.

Conclusion:
The communities comprise of indigenous inhabitants, migrants seeking income and from internally displaced persons driven by conflict and climate extremes in other parts of the country and vulnerable groups are disproportionately impacted. If we are to identify critical groups most at risk, assessment processes need to be refined to consider the dynamic nature of these groups, including the social structures and behaviour. There is much to debate on the regulation of informal sector which provides a tangible and important service whilst being excluded from mainstream global society.