ABSTRACT

In Pakistan, the rapid increase of Electronic waste is causing serious threats to workers’ health as well as the overall environment. The main focus of this study is assessing the workers’ health effects and environmental effects stemming from informal e-waste recycling. Secondly, this research aims to analyze the existing policies and practices of e-waste management. The e-waste recycling workers are exposed to job-related stress, physical hazards, and chemical hazards. The risks include chemicals emerging from dismantling and incinerating e-waste scraps such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, physical risks from sharp tools, and psychosocial risks such as stress from working long hours in uncomfortable conditions, Toxic fumes, dusty environment, and extreme noise. Major health risks experienced by e-waste recycling workers include respiratory diseases, eye infections, headaches, backaches, and extensive injuries and ailments that are associated with their working conditions. According to the research, 32.5% of workers have lung problems as a result of dust and chemical exposure, 25% develop eye infections due to inadequate protection, and 20% have skin allergies. Furthermore, 47.5% of the workforce reports that their job has a significant impact on their health and stress levels due to extreme noise, toxic fumes, and long working hours in uncomfortable environments. E-waste recycling workers often experience physical distress, with 52% experiencing occasional discomfort and joint stiffness, while 25% frequently experiencing joint stiffness and muscle pain. According to the study findings, 77.5% of e-waste recycling workers are untrained, uneducated, and unaware of potential hazards. The working conditions in e-waste recycling sites are very poor, there is a need to address issues like inappropriate ventilation, poor hygiene facilities, lack of emergency response plans, and absence of safety procedures for hazardous materials. Among all the types of waste, electronic waste when burned or dismantled randomly causes significant pollution to the environment. When the gases and pollutants found being released into the air harm the surrounding environment and the overall well-being. Based on the study, it is evident that there is a dire need to eliminate the phenomenon of open dumping, open-air burning as well as informal recycling. In Pakistan solving these problems would require increased safety measures and structures for safe recycling. Workers should get occupational safety training on the appropriate use and care of PPE to prevent harm due to toxic fumes and hazardous gases. To address e-waste challenges in Pakistan, the government needs to implement a comprehensive e-waste policy, enforce strict safety regulations for handling hazardous materials, and develop robust infrastructure for safe recycling processes.