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Health Assessment of Electronic Waste Workers in Chile: Participant Characterization

Author

Listed:
  • Karla Yohannessen

    (Programa de Salud Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Poblacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 939, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

  • Daniela Pinto-Galleguillos

    (Programa de Salud Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Poblacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 939, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

  • Denisse Parra-Giordano

    (Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 1027, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

  • Amaranta Agost

    (Programa de Salud Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Poblacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 939, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

  • Macarena Valdés

    (Programa de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Poblacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 939, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

  • Lauren M. Smith

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Katherine Galen

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Aubrey Arain

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Felipe Rojas

    (Programa de Salud Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Poblacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 939, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

  • Richard L. Neitzel

    (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Pablo Ruiz-Rudolph

    (Programa de Salud Ambiental, Instituto de Salud Poblacional, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Independencia 939, Independencia, Santiago 8380453, Chile)

Abstract

Little research has been done to evaluate the occupational health of electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workers in Latin America. The objective of this study was to complete comprehensive health evaluations on e-waste recycling workers in Chile and to compare those that work in informal (i.e., independent) to those that work in formal (i.e., established company) settings. A cross-sectional study in the summer of 2017 recruited 78 informal recycling workers from two cities and 15 formal e-waste recycling workers from a single recycling facility to assess exposures and health outcomes. Participants completed a health questionnaire and underwent a full health assessment. Herein, only health questionnaire data are reported. Participants were primarily male, middle-aged, married with children, and had worked in e-waste recycling for an average of 12 years. Participants generally reported good health status, and their prevalence of chronic diseases was comparable to national rates. Workers frequently reported exposures to several occupational stressors, including noise and insufficient income, as well as other mental health stressors. Occupational injuries were commonly reported and use of safety equipment was low. Only a few significant differences, generally of a rather small magnitude, were found between informal and formal workers. In conclusion, from survey data, we did not identify major risks to health among e-waste workers, and only minor differences between workers in informal and formal settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Karla Yohannessen & Daniela Pinto-Galleguillos & Denisse Parra-Giordano & Amaranta Agost & Macarena Valdés & Lauren M. Smith & Katherine Galen & Aubrey Arain & Felipe Rojas & Richard L. Neitzel & Pabl, 2019. "Health Assessment of Electronic Waste Workers in Chile: Participant Characterization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:3:p:386-:d:201865
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katrina N. Burns & Kan Sun & Julius N. Fobil & Richard L. Neitzel, 2016. "Heart Rate, Stress, and Occupational Noise Exposure among Electronic Waste Recycling Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Gu, Yifan & Wu, Yufeng & Xu, Ming & Wang, Huaidong & Zuo, Tieyong, 2016. "The stability and profitability of the informal WEEE collector in developing countries: A case study of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 18-26.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Augustine A. Acquah & Clive D’Souza & Bernard J. Martin & John Arko-Mensah & Duah Dwomoh & Afua Asabea Amoabeng Nti & Lawrencia Kwarteng & Sylvia A. Takyi & Niladri Basu & Isabella A. Quakyi & Thomas , 2021. "Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Workers at an Informal Electronic-Waste Recycling Site in Agbogbloshie, Ghana," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Ibrahim Issah & John Arko-Mensah & Thomas P. Agyekum & Duah Dwomoh & Julius N. Fobil, 2022. "Health Risks Associated with Informal Electronic Waste Recycling in Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Nonvignon Marius Kêdoté & Ghislain Emmanuel Sopoh & Steve Biko Tobada & Aymeric Joaquin Darboux & Pérince Fonton & Marthe Sandrine Sanon Lompo & Julius Fobil, 2022. "Perceived Stress at Work and Associated Factors among E-Waste Workers in French-Speaking West Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-9, January.
    4. Abas Shkembi & Kowit Nambunmee & Siripond Jindaphong & Denisse Parra-Giordano & Karla Yohannessen & Pablo Ruiz-Rudolph & Richard L. Neitzel & Aubrey Arain, 2021. "Work Task Association with Lead Urine and Blood Concentrations in Informal Electronic Waste Recyclers in Thailand and Chile," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-15, October.

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