ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF E-WASTE IN JOS NORTH L.G.A. NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The global growth in electrical and electronic equipment production and consumption has been exponential. E-waste is a hazardous waste having adverse health and environmental implications and there is generally low public awareness of the hazardous nature of e-waste and the crude management techniques used in Plateau metropolis. This research examines the impacts of e-waste in the Plateau metropolis through field surveys, Using questionnaires and observation. Stratified random sampling was used with 92 samples for the study, chosen based on the Kriejcie and Morgan formula for sample size. The study revealed that the new source of E-Waste in developing countries is the E-Waste trade value chain from developed countries to developing countries. 55.5% of the respondents are e-waste Repairers. It also reveals that the majority of e-waste in Plateau state ends up in the hands of repairers, who recover and replace parts with the other surviving e-waste. Like any other place, Plateau metropolis has three categories of e-waste. The first category is large household appliances, the second category is information technology and telecommunication equipment, and the last category is small Household Appliances. Many illnesses have been associated with the e-waste activities in the Plateau metropolis, such sicknesses are eye irritation, Flu-like Symptoms, Headaches, Wounds, stomach disorders, and pain and skin diseases as a result of contact and other e-coast. But the highest percentage of the respondents, i.e. 53.2% do not use health and safety measures to prevent themself from being harmed by the e-waste hazardous substances. However, there is a need to provide more and future policies that will mitigate the recent e-waste issues and prevent future ones from occurring.