Course:SPPH381B/TermProject/Chef Knife - Shirley Deutsch/Exposure to chemical and biological hazards

Landfill sorting management Hazard - Exposure to chemical and biological hazards (itchiness, irritations, injuries, death)

What is landfill sorting management? What chemicals and biological hazards? and what are the health effects associated?

Land filling is one way that is used to reduce and manage waste. Once waste is disposed at a landfill site, there are processes in place for sorting. However, such employees who sort waste are exposed to various chemicals and biological hazards from the materials they are sorting. Such chemical and biological agents might take a long time before effect would be seen as well as causing occupational diseases.

As employees sort waste they are in danger of direct contact with liquids and small amount of hazardous chemical waste. Such contact can result in skin irritations and blood infections. Other than the liquid form, employees at landfill sorting areas are exposed to fumes or gaseous emissions from chemicals in recyclable containers. Common chemicals that pose risks to the employees are chlorine, fluorine, paper beaching, deinking, pulping agents, plastic additives and equipment cleaning solvents, and insecticides and herbicides. Inhaling such chemicals and even simple skin contact can cause serious health problems like liver and nervous system failures. Inhalation of metal, paper, glass, or plastic dust can cause asthma like symptoms and exposure for a long period of time may cause respiratory system damage. Some heavy metals exposure can cause cancer. Many electronics like cell phones and computers if they are not disposed properly and end up in a landfill result in mercury, lead, and cadmium exposure to employees.

Common biological hazards include water borne diseases resulting from flies and mosquitoes breeding in the dumping sites. Animals in the waste or any sort of blood infections are extremely dangerous to the employees. Workers easily get infected by bacteria and viruses found in the waste. Exposure to hepatitis B, fungi, or parasites are common as well as contact with dermatitis infections, diarrhoea, and skin diseases.

Long term occupational health effects are asthma, irritation, headaches, lung infections, just to name a few.

How to reduce this risk for workers?

Monthly medical examination and training on reporting of hazards.