Prevalence of Respiratory Health Symptoms among Landfill Waste Recyclers in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2019-11, Vol.16 (21), p.4277
• Main Authors: Tlotleng, Nonhlanhla, Kootbodien, Tahira, Wilson, Kerry, Made, Felix, Mathee, Angela, Ntlebi, Vusi, Kgalamono, Spo, Mokone, Moses, Du Preez, Karen, Naicker, Nisha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Asthma; Chemical residues; Chemicals; Containers; Cooking; Cross-Sectional Studies; Detergents; Dust; Economic factors; Education; Family medical history; Hazard identification; Headache; Health hazards; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Housing; Humans; Informal economy; Landfill; Landfills; Mental disorders; Mental health; Nausea; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational health; Organic chemistry; Pesticides; Population; Prevalence; Protective Clothing; Recycling; Respiratory Insufficiency - epidemiology; Risk assessment; Signs and symptoms; Sinusitis; Smoking; Social factors; South Africa - epidemiology; Studies; Variables; Waste Disposal Facilities; Waste disposal sites
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214277

In developing countries, waste sorting and recycling have become a source of income for poorer communities. However, it can potentially pose significant health risks. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms and associated risk factors for respiratory health outcomes among waste recyclers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 361 waste recyclers at two randomly selected landfill sites in Johannesburg. Convenience sampling was used to sample the waste recyclers. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the population was 58.5%. A persistent cough was the most common symptom reported (46.8%), followed by breathlessness (19.6%) and rapid breathing (15.8%). Approximately 66.4% of waste recyclers reported exposure to chemicals and 96.6% reported exposure to airborne dust. A multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to waste containing chemical residues (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.01-3.22 = 0.044) increased the odds of respiratory symptoms. There was a significant difference in respiratory symptoms in landfill sites 1 and 2 (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.03-7.42 = 0.042). Occupational health and safety awareness is important to minimize hazards faced by informal workers. In addition, providing waste recyclers with the correct protective clothing, such as respiratory masks, and training on basic hygiene practices, could reduce the risks associated with waste sorting.