Heavy Metal Pollution Resulting from Informal E-Waste Recycling in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study investigated concentrations and spatial distributions of four heavy metals: Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), and Lead (Pb) in the soil and drainage systems resulting from informal e-waste recycling at Ashaiman, a town in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Twenty-four soil samples were randomly taken from two open burning sites, and three water samples from a drainage that flows through the scrapyard were digested using standard wet digestion methods. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to analyze three replicates per sampling location for the heavy metals. The results revealed that the soil and drainage samples were polluted, with the metallic levels exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana limits. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), and contamination factor (CF) further confirmed the contamination of the scrapyard by the heavy metals. Spatial distribution maps showed elevated levels of the heavy metals at portions designated for open burning and disposal of e-waste materials. The research corroborates studies on pollution of the environment by informal e-waste activities and underscores the urgent need for policy implementation and law enforcement to halt further pollution.