Occupational Hazards associated with Waste Handling
Infections
Skin and blood infections resulting from direct contact with waste, and from infected wounds
Eye and respiratory infections resulting from exposure to infected dust, especially during landfill operations
Different diseases that results from the bites of animals feeding on the waste
Intestinal infections that are transmitted by flies feeding on the waste.
Chronic Diseases
Incineration operators are at risk of chronic respiratory diseases, including cancers resulting from exposure to dust and hazardous compounds.
Read Also : Effects of Solid Waste on the Environment
Accidents
Bone and muscle disorders resulting from the handling of heavy containers
Infecting wounds resulting from contact with sharp objects
Poisoning and chemical burns resulting from contact with small amounts of hazardous chemical waste mixed with general waste
Burns and other injuries resulting from occupational accidents at waste disposal sites or from methane gas explosion at landfill sites.
Economic Effects
1. Municipal Wellbeing
Everyone wants to live and visit places that are clean, fresh and healthy. A city with poor sanitation, smelly and with waste matter all over the place does not attract good people, investors and tourists. Such cities tend to have poor living standards.
2. Recycling Revenue
Cities that do not invest in recycling and proper waste control miss out on revenue from recycling. They also miss out on job opportunities that come from recycling, composting and businesses that work with them.
In summary, the total effect of solid waste on the environment and consequently on public health must be considered so as to avert any danger that may arise. Poor solid waste handling poses serious health implications and hazards to man.
Read Also : Specific Effects of Solid waste on Human Health
Many problems have been associated with improper handling of waste in the environment like dumping of waste on land, indiscriminate disposal of waste into rivers and other surface waters, or into the air can cause environmental pollution and hazards to the living organisms resulting to destruction of life.
Effective management of solid waste is therefore a key for sustainable development and environmental protection to ensure public health.
