Assessing the Awareness of the General Public on the Adverse Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on Humans and the Environment in Some Sensitive Areas of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

摘要

A study was conducted to create the awareness among the general public and especially those who work directly with the transformers on the adverse health effects that are associated with the exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. Knowledge of PCBs and the adverse effects on humans and the environment were assessed among Electricity Company of Ghana staff members, Volta River Authority staff members and the general public. Evidence obtained from the use of structured questionnaire analysed with Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) version 16 shows that Staff members of the technical departments of ECG/VRA (71.4%) as well as a few welders (16.7%) have come in contact with the transformer oil that may possibly contain PCBs. About 26.1% of female from ECG and VRA indicated they still work with and/or on transformer, thereby increasing the potential adverse effect associated to exposure to transformer oils that may contain PCBs. About 55.6% of the ECG/VRA staff members do not wear any protective clothing when working on transformers thus exposing themselves to PCBs. About 27.3% of the management staff members of ECG/VRA are not aware of the adverse health effects caused by PCBs.