WHO Initiative on E-Waste and Child Health
The World Health Organization Initiative on E-Waste and Child Health supports pilot projects in Latin America and Africa to protect children's health from hazardous exposures in informal e-waste recycling. The initiative raises awareness about health effects of e-waste on children and pregnant women, who are particularly vulnerable to toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium released during informal recycling practices such as open burning and acid leaching. The program works to build capacity for policymakers to enforce legislation, promote safe disposal practices, and develop healthcare protocols for treating e-waste-related health conditions in affected communities.
Theme Areas
Behavior Goal
Protect children and pregnant women from e-waste hazards; promote safe recycling practices among informal workers; raise awareness among healthcare providers and policymakers about e-waste health risks
Target Audiences
Methods & Approaches
Channels
Implementers & Partners
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Donors & Sponsors
- WHO
- Member state contributions
Key Takeaways
- 1Children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to e-waste toxins
- 2Healthcare provider training improves identification of e-waste-related illness
- 3Policy advocacy combined with community awareness is essential
- 4Informal recycling sector needs alternatives to unsafe practices
- 5Multi-country pilots allow adaptation to local contexts