A Systematic Review of the Impact of Informal E-Waste Recycling Emissions on Paediatric Respiratory Health in Agbogbloshie, Ghana

This systematic literature review addresses the critical public health issue of paediatric respiratory morbidity linked to emissions from informal e-waste recycling in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. As one of Africa’s largest such sites, Agbogbloshie’s open-air burning and dismantling activities release hazardous particulate matter and toxic chemicals, posing severe risks to children’s respiratory health. This review synthesises and critically appraises the available evidence on this specific association. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and African Journals Online was conducted for peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2023. Studies were included if they quantified exposure to e-waste-related air pollutants and measured respiratory health outcomes in children and adolescents. The screening, data extraction, and quality assessment processes are detailed. A narrative synthesis of the evidence indicates a consistent association between exposure and adverse paediatric respiratory outcomes. Key findings demonstrate that elevated levels of pollutants, including PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds, are correlated with a higher prevalence of asthma, reduced lung function, and increased incidence of respiratory infections such as bronchitis. These results underscore an urgent paediatric health crisis directly tied to environmental pollution from informal e-waste processing. The review concludes that robust, context-specific public health interventions and stricter environmental regulations are imperative to safeguard child health in Agbogbloshie and similar e-waste hubs, highlighting a pressing need for policy action grounded in local evidence.