Abstract :
Introduction: E-waste or electronic waste are used electronics equipment which are designated
for reuse, resale, recycling or disposal. Informal recycling facilities are small shops where people
dismantle electronic waste items manually to get plastics and metals. Informal recycling not only
affects environment systems but also the health of people involved in dismantling activities of
the e-waste items.
Objectives: To assess the health problems among e-waste handlers in Delhi.
Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study conducted among e-waste workers working in East
Delhi.
Methods and Materials: E-waste handlers in Seelampur and Shastripark formed the study
population. Data were collected from the participants using a pre-tested interview schedule
which included record-based health problems and findings of general physical examination.
Statistical Analysis: Data was entered in SPSS version 17. It was expressed in percentage.
Results: There were 250 e-waste handlers (130 from Seelampur and 120 from Shastripark) who
participated in the study. Reported health problems were allergy (1.6%), scabies (0.8%), fatigue
(6%), weight loss (1%), acid peptic problems (0.8%), burning eyes (2%) and cough with
expectoration (3%) in e-waste workers. Around 51% were found in pre-hypertensive stage while
16% were hypertensive (JNC 7 criteria). Nearly 33% were obese.
Conclusion: Pre-hypertension, hypertension and obesity were common problems in e-waste
handlers. However, a small number of non-specific health problems were also found. There is a
need to provide health services and education to reduce problems particularly of noncommunicable diseases.
Keyword :
E-waste workers, Health status, Non-communicable disease