Nigerian public health researcher Sodiq Abiola Omotosho is working to reshape how electronic waste is managed in the United States, focusing on systems that reduce hazardous exposures while improving regulatory effectiveness and resource recovery.

Working at the intersection of public health, environmental compliance, and applied research, Omotosho’s work treats e-waste not just as a waste problem but as a public health and compliance issue. Improper handling of discarded electronics like phones, computers, and batteries can release lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic into the environment, posing risks to workers and communities, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Omotosho, an environmental compliance specialist with the Fulton County District of the Georgia Department of Public Health in Metro Atlanta, uses his field experience to inform his research. Fulton County, Georgia’s most populous county, generates a high volume of electronic waste.

“Through routine inspections, permitting processes, and compliance enforcement activities, he has observed that environmental health protection is not only dependent on regulations but also on the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of the systems used to implement them,” the statement said.

His research explores how automation and robotics can improve safety in e-waste disassembly, and uses life cycle assessment to examine the economic and environmental effects of sustainable treatment methods. He also studies public awareness and community participation in e-waste management systems.

Omotosho holds a Master of Public Health from Fort Valley State University, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and a first-class degree in Agricultural Economics from Kwara State University in Nigeria. He has co-authored studies with researchers from the University of Idaho, University of Notre Dame, Michigan Technological University, Oregon State University, and Park University.

His approach draws on the One Health framework, which links human, animal, and environmental health. Using tools like SPSS, STATA, and R, he analyzes compliance datasets to identify high-risk areas and support resource allocation for public health agencies.

Describing his philosophy, Omotosho said:

“I believe the future of environmental health lies at the intersection of data, policy, and sustainable systems. My goal is to develop practical solutions that help protect communities, strengthen compliance systems, and improve public health outcomes.”

As the U.S. seeks stronger approaches to environmental protection and resource recovery, Omotosho’s work offers an example of how research and compliance practice can converge to address the growing challenge of electronic waste.