Human health risk associated with metal exposure at Agbogbloshie e-waste site and the surrounding neighbourhood in Accra, Ghana (original) (raw)
Emerging Science Journal
The objective of this study is first, to investigate the level of heavy metals in soils from Agbogbloshie e-waste processing site (AEPS), the degree at which these heavy metals contaminate the area and finally, to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk of heavy metals on workers and residents in around the AEPS. 132 soil samples were collected from the study area and the samples analyzed for Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn heavy metals after appropriate preparations were made. Results of the analysis showed mean concentrations of Cd, Cr and Ni considered as carcinogenic were lower than permissible levels of Dutch and Canadian soil standards. Mean concentrations however of Cu, Pb and Zn were between 100% and 500% higher than the permissible levels. Assessment of the degree of Contamination indicated Ni<Ba<Co<Cr<Zn<Hg<Cu<Cd<Pb in an increasing order as contributing to the degree of contamination with according to the degree of contaminat...
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2020
Over 1000 people make a living by processing electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) and scrap metals for the recovery of valuable metals and integrated circuits at Dagomba Line, Kumasi, Ghana. These processing include activities such as dismantling, open burning and open dumping of e-waste which can potentially release toxic metals into the environment and thus impact the health of recyclers and nearby residents. This study investigated the distribution of toxic metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) in surface soils at the e-waste recycling sites and determined the associated human health risk via ingestion incorporating bioaccessibility measurements. Metal concentrations in the activity sites were highly elevated, significantly higher than those in the surrounding area and exceeded international soil quality guidelines such as the Canadian soil quality guidelines for residential use and the Dutch Intervention Value. Bioaccessibility was high for Pb (70.8%), Cd (64.1%), Cu (62.3%) and Ni (53.6%) which could be credited to the existence of oxidized species as a result of the e-waste burning. Noncarcinogenic effects were unacceptably high (hazard indices > 1) at 14 out of 31 sites and the cancer risk for arsenic for adult workers was greater than 1 × 10 −5 at five of the sampling sites.
The effect of e-waste recycling activities on soil quality was assessed for four e-waste sites in Ghana. Samples of top- and sub-soil were collected from dismantling and burning sections and prevalence and distribution of selected metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The concentrations of the metals analysed were above the background concentrations except Cd, which was detected at the same level as the background levels. Levels of Cu and Pb increased with increasing soil depth. Levels of Cd, Zn, As, and Ni decreased with increasing soil depth. Hg levels showed no recognizable trend in its distribution relative to soil depth. The pollution indices evaluated revealed deterioration of the soil quality at the e-waste sites. Geo-accumulation indices suggest that the soil is very highly polluted with Pb, highly polluted with Cu, and moderately polluted with As, Hg, Cd, and Zn. The enrichment factor values indicate that soil from the studied sites was very highly en...
This study was aimed at assessing the loss of secondary metals from informal recycling of e-waste at Agbogbloshie, where primitive methods are used for e-waste processing. Samples were collected from fourteen (14) locations within Agbogbloshie including the dismantling site and burning site of the scrap market. The X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) was used to evaluate the concentrations of the heavy metals and other elements in the sample. Non-ferrous metals such as Zn, Cu and Pb gave concentrations in the range of (422.54 – 181752.94mg/kg), (101.83 – 9144.50mg/kg) and (117.03 – 14448.46mg/kg), respectively. All these concentrations those of ferrous and specialty metals exceeded the New Dutch List Action Values over thousand times. The highest index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) value of 9.589 was recorded at the dismantling site and 8.597 at the burning site for Pb. High Igeo values of 5.07, 5.34 and 4.36 were also recorded for Zinc in road dust, Domod office and store in the mark...
Distribution and bioaccessibility of metals in urban soils of Kumasi, Ghana
To assess the potential risk associated with incidental ingestion of metal contaminants in soils from areas where most of the commercial activities are concentrated in Kumasi, Ghana, total and bioaccessible concentrations of metals were determined in surface soil samples. Arsenic, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in some of the samples exceeded international environmental soil quality guidelines. The use of geoaccumulation and enrichment factor indices also indicated high contamination in select areas of the commercial hub. Multivariate analyses of the data suggested that As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were mainly derived from anthropogenic sources whereas Al, Cd, Hg, and Fe were attributable to either soil parent materials or atmospheric deposition. Based on the total metal concentrations, the risk associated with exposure to metals in the contaminated soils was found to be high; the hazard quotient based on the mean concentration for a child receptor was greater than 1 for As, Cr, and Pb. Metal bioaccessibility was variable; decreasing in the order Zn (73 ± 15%) > Pb (62 ± 16%) > Cu (47 ± 14%) > Co (28 ± 11%) > Ni (24 ± 11%) > As (14 ± 13%) > Cr (2.8 ± 2.6%). Incorporation of the bioaccessibility data in the risk characterization resulted in hazard quotients of less than 1 indicating that the general risk associated with incidental ingestion of metals in the soils for both children and adults is low except for the contaminated hotspots. Lead and As contributed most to the overall risk.
Soil Pollution by Toxic Metals near E-waste Recycling Operations in Ibadan, Nigeria
Journal of Health and Pollution
Background. Unsound recycling of e-waste releases toxic metals into environmental media and has deleterious health consequences to humans as the metals transfer to humans through the food chain, direct contact and inhalation. Objectives. This study assessed soil contamination with lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) arising from crude e-waste recycling. Methods. Forty-eight soil samples were collected from the vicinity of high-, medium- and low-activity recycling operations in Ogunpa in Ibadan, Nigeria as well as from the botanical garden of the University of Ibadan for background samples. Total extractable metals were leached with aqua regia and the leachates were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Speciation analysis was also conducted on soil samples that showed high concentrations of metals to determine the distributions in various phases. Results. All soil samples were determined to be sandy loam in composition with pH and organ...
Environmental monitoring and assessment, 2016
Recycling of e-waste using informal or crude techniques poses serious health risk not only to the workers but also to the environment as whole. It is against this background that this paper sought to measure health risk faced by informal e-waste workers from exposure to toxicants such as lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, arsenic, tin, zinc and cobalt via oral and dermal contact with bottom ash and soil. Using random sampling techniques, 3 separate sites each (where burning and manual dismantling of e-wastes are usually carried) were identified, and a total of 402 samples were collected. The samples were analysed using standard methods for chemical analysis prescribed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, As, Sn, Zn and Co in bottom ash samples from location ASH1 are 5388 ± 0.02 mg/kg (Pb), 2.39 ± 0.01 mg/kg (Cd), 42 ± 0.05 mg/kg (Cr), 7940 ± 0.01 mg/kg (Cu), 20 ± 0.07 mg/kg (As), 225 ± 0.04 mg/kg (Sn), 276 ± 0.04 mg/kg (Zn) and 123 ± 0.04 m...
Heavy metal contamination of urban soils and it possible detrimental effects to both environmental quality and humans have gained significant attention for decades. However, data on the ecotoxicological status and health implication of heavy metal pollution of soils in Tarkwa remains vague. Herein, nine heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn) were analyzed in 20 urban soils, of typical artisanal mining communities in Tarkwa, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS VARIAN AA240FS). Multivariate statistical analysis as well as ecotoxicological indexes were employed to identify pollution sources of metals and possible ecotoxicological effects, respectively. In addition, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for residents’ exposure through oral, dermal, and inhalation were estimated. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) of the nine metals followed a decreasing order: Fe > Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Co > Ni > Cd. Results on principal componen...
Journal of Health and Pollution
Metals found in the environment generally originate from natural processes such as weathering of rocks, atmospheric deposition, or from anthropogenic sources, but their distributions are influenced by the properties of the metals and physicochemical factors of soil such as organic matter content and pH. The widespread distribution of metals in the environment is explained by the stability of the forms in which they occur. Whereas low concentrations of essential metals such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) are beneficial for the growth and maintenance of the human body, toxic metals (cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb)) can have harmful effects on animal and plant life, as well as the environment. 1-3 Some toxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Hg are widely used in the manufacturing, mining, agricultural and medical fields and are eventually discharged into the environment. 4-6 Accumulation of excess amounts of metal contaminants in the environment threatens the health of plants and animals because these metals exert biological effects on all life forms. 7,8 Metal pollution in soils is of concern to researchers and regulatory agencies because most metals have adverse health effects. 9 Long term exposure to metals can result in reduced intelligence in humans, DNA damage, and memory impairment. 10,11 The toxic effects of metals are normally defined by their nature. For example, mercury and lead affect almost every human organ, arsenic is known to be a human Background. Anthropogenic activities such as artisanal mining pose a major environmental health concern due to the potential for discharge of toxic metals into the environment. Objectives. To determine the distribution and pollution patterns of arsenic (As), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the topsoil of a mining community in Ghana, along with potential human health risks and in vitro bioaccessibility. Methods. Concentrations of metals were determined using X-ray fluorescence techniques and validated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results. Concentrations of the metals in topsoil were in the order of magnitude of Cu (31.38 mg/kg) < Ni (45.39 mg/kg) < As (59.66 mg/kg) < Cr (92.87 mg/kg) < Zn (106.98 mg/kg) < Mn (1195.49 mg/kg) < Fe (30061.02 mg/kg). Geo-statistical and multivariate analyses based on hazard indices including contamination, ecological risks, geo-accumulation, and pollution load suggest that the topsoils are contaminated in the study area. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed high ecological risk effects (PERI=269.09), whereas the hazard index (1×10 −7) and carcinogenic risk index (1×10 −5) indicated low human health risks. Elevated levels of As, Cr, Ni, and Zn were found to emanate from anthropogenic origins, whereas Fe, Mn, and Cu levels were attributed mainly to geological and atmospheric depositions. Physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity and total organic carbon) showed weak positive correlations to the metal concentrations. Elemental bioaccessibility was variable, decreasing in the order of Mn (35±2.9%) > Cu (29±2.6%) > Ni (22±1.3%) > As (9±0.5%) > Cr (4±0.6%) > Fe (2±0.4%). Conclusions. Incorporation of in-vitro bioaccessibility into the risk characterization models resulted in a hazard index of less than 1, implying low human health risks. However, due to accumulation effects of the metals, regular monitoring is required.
Heliyon, 2023
E-waste processing sites abound with potentially toxic elements (PTE) that negatively affect the environment and human health. The study determined the presence of selected PTE (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Al) and their spatial distribution in an e-waste processing site in a developing country setting. pH, moisture, organic matter/carbon, and particle size were determined in 30 soil samples. The spatial position of each sampling point was picked with a GPS device, and the area was mapped in a GIS environment. The concentrations of PTE were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Findings from the study indicate that the soil is polluted with PTE, rich in organic carbon/matter but has low pH. The Geoaccumulation Indices ranged from unpolluted (Al) to strongly/extremely polluted (Cu). Pollution Load Index showed about 77 % of the samples as extremely/heavily polluted, 10 % as heavily polluted, and 13 % as moderately polluted. Contamination Factors of Zn, Pb, and Cu were very high but considerably low for Hg and Al. Regular monitoring and remediation are required for the soil to be restored and put into productive use.
Environmental Health and Toxicology, 2016
Objectives This study examined the spatial distribution and the extent of soil contamination by heavy metals resulting from primitive, unconventional informal electronic waste recycling in the Agbogbloshie e-waste processing site (AEPS) in Ghana. Methods A total of 132 samples were collected at 100 m intervals, with a handheld global position system used in taking the location data of the soil sample points. Observing all procedural and quality assurance measures, the samples were analyzed for barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), using X-ray fluorescence. Using environmental risk indices of contamination factor and degree of contamination (Cdeg), we analyzed the individual contribution of each heavy metal contamination and the overall Cdeg. We further used geostatistical techniques of spatial autocorrelation and variability to examine spatial distribution and extent of heavy metal contamination. Results Results from soil analysis showed that heavy metal concentrations were significantly higher than the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency and Dutch environmental standards. In an increasing order, Pb > Cd > Hg > Cu > Zn > Cr > Co > Ba > Ni contributed significantly to the overall Cdeg. Contamination was highest in the main working areas of burning and dismantling sites, indicating the influence of recycling activities. Geostatistical analysis also revealed that heavy metal contamination spreads beyond the main working areas to residential, recreational, farming, and commercial areas. Conclusions Our results show that the studied heavy metals are ubiquitous within AEPS and the significantly high concentration of these metals reflect the contamination factor and Cdeg, indicating soil contamination in AEPS with the nine heavy metals studied.
Chemosphere, 2016
Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling is growing worldwide and raising a number of environmental health concerns. One of the largest e-waste sites is Agbogbloshie (Ghana). While several toxic elements have been reported in Agbogbloshie's environment, there is limited knowledge of human exposures there. The objectives of this study were to characterize exposures to several essential (copper, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc) and toxic (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead) elements in the urine and blood of male workers (n=58) at Agbogbloshie, as well as females (n=11) working in activities that serve the site, and to relate these exposures to sociodemographic and occupational characteristics. The median number of years worked at the site was 5, and the average worker indicated being active in 6.8 tasks (of 9 key e-waste job categories). Additionally, we categorized four main e-waste activities (in brackets % of population self-reported main activity): dealing (22.4%), sorting (24.1%), dismantling (50%), and burning (3.4%) e-waste materials. Many blood and urinary elements (including essential ones) were within biomonitoring reference ranges. However, blood cadmium (1.2 ug/L median) and lead (6.4 ug/dl; 67% above U.S. CDC/NIOSH reference level), and urinary arsenic (38.3 ug/L; 39% above U.S. ATSDR value) levels were elevated compared to background populations elsewhere. Workers who burned e-waste tended to have the highest biomarker levels. The findings of this study contribute to a growing body of work at Agbogbloshie (and elsewhere) to document that individuals working within e-waste sites are exposed to a number of toxic elements, some at potentially concerning levels.
Journal of Health and Pollution, 2011
Background. It is estimated that 20-50 million tons of electric and electronic waste (e-waste) is generated per year of which 75-80% is shipped to countries in Asia and Africa for recycling and disposal. In these countries recycling of e-waste is performed with limited and o en no environmental or worker health precautions. Activities at these sites o en pose harmful threats in the form of soil pollution leading to contaminated water and food as well as air contaminants a ecting the health of the workers and children at these sites. Objectives. In an e ort to better understand the multitude of chemical releases at these sites, an assessment was conducted at a large e-waste recycling and disposal site located in the vicinity of Agbogbloshie Market in Accra, Ghana. Methods. Environmental (ambient) air samples and worker breathing zone samples were taken for selected metals. In addition, surface soil samples were collected throughout the site and analyzed for lead (Pb). Results. Personal air samples collected from workers and the environment revealed elevated levels for aluminum, copper, iron, lead and zinc. Of the 100 soil samples taken, more than half were above the US Environmental Protection Agency standard for lead in soil. Conclusions. e Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling/disposal site in Accra, Ghana revealed an area with extensive lead contamination in both ambient air and topsoil. Given the urban nature of this site e as well as the large adjacent food distribution market, the potential for human health impact is substantial both to workers and local residents.
Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination on Soil around E-Waste Dumpsite in Onitsha, Nigeria
Environmental Review, Volume 9, No 1., 2023
Electronic waste (e-waste) has become an issue of major importance as production technology rapidly develops and changes, and more unknown components of the waste enter the municipal waste stream. The absence of a structured management system and laxity in environmental laws and regulations in Anambra State have led to an increased influx of e-waste into the state. It has created an avenue for uncontrolled and crude methods of recovering valuable metals from waste. These ewastes are dismantled, some are burnt without prior knowledge of their composition and noxious matters are released into the environment. This study aimed to establish an understanding of the extent of heavy metals contamination on the soil around e-waste dumpsite in Ochanja in Onitsha, Anambra State with a view to generating baseline data on the extent of contamination of heavy metals from e-waste. Experimental research design was adopted and primary data were obtained through the collection of four different soil samples at varying distances within Ochanja e-waste dumpsite , the study Area. The collected soil samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption SpectrophotometerAAS(GBC932AA) for the following heavy metals; Lead(Pb), Cadmium(Cd) Hexavalent chromium(Cr),Copper(Cu), Aluminium(Al) and Nickel(Ni). The result of the analysis showed that Al and Cr had maximium average value of 393.65mg/kg and 161.70mg/kg,followed by Pb(111.4mg/kg),Cu(102.37mg/kg),Cd(11.79mg/kg) and Ni(6.43mg/kg).The heavy metal concentrations in the soil were generally above 100mg/kg with exception of Cadmium (11.79mg/kg) and Nickel(6.43mg/kg),while the average concentrations of Al,Cu and Cd are above USEPA standard of 300mg/kg,50mg/kg and 3mg/kg respectively. The significant heavy metals found in soil samples in and around the dumpsites in the study area likely resulted from poor management of e-waste in the dumpsite in the study area. This is an indicator that the negative health impact of these heavy metals should be further investigated to avert any health and environmental consequences in the study area.
This paper assessed metal contamination associated with industrial activities around Agbara Industrial Estate, Southwest, Nigeria. Thirty soil samples collected within the estate were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry ICP-AES. The results showed that the concentrations of Mo, Ag, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Bi, Cr, Tl, Se, Hg and Cd were higher than their background values as contained in Average Crustal Values (ACV). An evaluation of the contamination factor showed that soil samples had suffered low to moderate contamination with respect to Cu, Mn, Mo, Ag, Cd, Cr and Bi, low to considerable contamination with respect to Pb, and Th and low to very high contamination with respect to Zn, Sc, Se and Sb. The degree of contamination ranged from 2.18 to 234.28 which indicated low to high degree of contamination. The toxic elements posed between low to high risks on the environment based on the potential ecological Risk Index (RI). The soil samples with the high risks were those closed to the industrial wastewater dumpsite. The total chronic hazard quotient index (THI) of oral exposure to soil contamination in the study area ranged between 2.81 and 134.89 for children, and 1.73 and 14.06 for adults. All the samples gave THI values above 1 which depicted great potential hazard for both young and old. The critical factor for THI in both adults and children for the study area were due to exposure to Pb, Mn, Zn and Cr. ABSTRACT 573
Journal of Chemical Health Risks, 2019
The assessment of some trace metals in soils around a municipal solid waste dumpsite in Gombe, Nigeria was conducted. Pollution indices and health risk parameters were determined in order to evaluate the ecological and health risk to the local environment. The soil samples were collected in dry and rainy seasons and analysed for (Fe, Cd, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Ni) using atomic absorption spectrometry. The content of trace metals (mg kg<sup>-1</sup>) at the dumpsite in dry season were: Pb (8.78), Zn (151.00), Ni (11.80), Cr (4.55), Cd (12.12) and Mn (92.05), while in rainy season, content of trace metals were Pb (8.80), Zn (148.00), Ni (11.63), Cr (4.20), Cd (10.03) and Mn (91.03). In both seasons, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in levels of chromium, cadmium, zinc, nickel, lead, copper and iron in soil samples from the south (20 m) of the dumpsite and at the dumpsite compared to soil samples from the control site. Pollution indices studies showed that soi...
Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Suame Industrial Area, Kumasi, Ghana
Journal of Health and Pollution, 2016
Background. Heavy metal pollution in industrial and residential areas in cities has become a public health issue in Ghana. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most industrial areas have elevated levels of heavy metals in soil. As a result of poor zoning and unregulated activities, large sections of seemingly industrial areas are also used as residential areas. There have been no studies on the levels of heavy metal contamination in such mixed activity locations. Objectives. The study was undertaken to identify possible heavy metals and their concentrations in soil samples collected from the Suame Industrial Area, Kumasi, Ghana. Methods. Soil samples were collected, processed and the concentration of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Results. The concentration of all metals exceeded the threshold limit values (TLV). They also exceeded the European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN) maximum allowable limits (MAL), and a...
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2016
Risk characterization of the agricultural soils in the mining areas of Singhbhum copper belt was done by determining the total concentrations of metals by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and assessing the potential ecological and human health risk. The concentrations were above the average shale values for most of the metals. Principal component analysis showed anthropogenic contributions of Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Pb and Cr in the soils. Ecological risk assessment revealed that 50% of the soil samples were at moderate to very high ecological risk. Health risks for adults and children were quantified using hazard quotients (HQ), hazard index (HI) and Cancer risks for the oral, dermal and inhalation pathways. The HQs for all the metals except As and Co were below 1, which suggested that non-carcinogenic risks of metal exposure to soils were generally assumed to be safe. However, considering all the metals and pathways, the HI for adult and children was 0.71 and 5.61, respectively suggesting appreciable risk to local
Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2015
This study was to provide information on the level of pollution caused by heavy metal accumulation as a result of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) deposition on soils in a peri-urban waste site in Ghana. The results were compared with those of the native soil (control). The research consisted of field survey/study and laboratory analyses. The heavy metals determined included copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and iron (Fe). Geochemical pollution indices were used to assess the level of pollution of the soil due to heavy metal concentration as impacted by MSW disposal and their possible effects on agriculture and livelihood. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg with Fe as the reference element were compared to their respective background concentrations to calculate the enrichment factor, ecological risk factor, geo-accumulation and pollution load indices of each. These were compared to standard values to determine the levels of contamination. The mean concentration of Pb and Hg in the waste dump site were 41.82 mg/kg and 7.38 mg/kg, respectively, which were significantly higher than 5.18 mg/kg (Pb) and 1.73 mg/kg (Hg) for the control site. The Pb and Hg values at the waste dump site as well as the Hg value at the native (control) site were higher than the range, 0.05-0.5 mg/kg that should be contained in a typical soil. Moreover, the ecological risk factor computed indicated high potential ecological risk posed by Hg and Cu whereas Pb posed moderate potential ecological risk. The results showed the level of toxicity that can be caused by these metals (especially Hg) and the major threat they pose to agriculture and environmental quality.
Environmental health and toxicology, 2017
The rapidly increasing annual global volume of e-waste, and of its inherently valuable fraction, has created an opportunity for individuals in Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana to make a living by using unconventional, uncontrolled, primitive and crude procedures to recycle and recover valuable metals from this waste. The current form of recycling procedures releases hazardous fractions, such as heavy metals, into the soil, posing a significant risk to the environment and human health. Using a handheld global positioning system, 132 soil samples based on 100 m grid intervals were collected and analysed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). Using geostatistical techniques and sediment quality guidelines, this research seeks to assess the potential risk these heavy metals posed to the proposed Korle Ecological Restoration Zone by informal e-waste processing site in Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana. Analysis of heavy metals revealed concentrations exce...