This pilot project addresses a critical health equity issue in Agbogbloshie, a community in Accra, Ghana, long known for its informal electronic waste (e-waste) recycling activities. With toxic metal exposure from open-air burning and manual dismantling now occurring dangerously close to residential areas, women and children—historically overlooked in research—face growing health risks. This study will recruit mother-child pairs to assess baseline toxic metal exposure and nutritional status, pilot a targeted dietary intervention, and measure changes in health outcomes over a six-month period. The intervention aims to empower families with the tools and knowledge to reduce the health impacts of toxic exposures through improved nutrition.
The project fills a longstanding research gap by shifting the focus from e-waste workers to nearby vulnerable populations and testing a cost-effective, community-based solution. Through blood sampling, metabolic health assessments, and participatory nutrition education, the team hopes to show that simple dietary changes can mitigate the adverse effects of environmental pollutants. Results from this work will inform larger-scale interventions and future policy changes, while also helping to build local capacity and generate momentum for broader, community-led action. Ultimately, this project seeks to improve long-term health outcomes for women and children in low-resource settings who are disproportionately burdened by environmental toxins.
Chief Dietician, Department of Dietetics