Abstract
In South Africa, waste pickers play a significant role in the management of waste at landfill sites. Waste picking is an income-generating venture for most people with low-income base. The activity of sorting waste at landfill sites is, however, associated with occupational health risks to waste pickers which this study has examined. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey with a convenience sampling method which was conducted among 114 waste pickers in three landfill sites in Limpopo Province of South Africa. A validated questionnaire was used in eliciting responses from the participants. The statistical technique employed includes the ANOVA, simple, and multiple regression. The results indicated that, in the last one year, waste pickers exposed to landfill sites were 1.7 times more likely to develop a common health disorder (AOR: 1.733; 95% CI: 1.069, 2.755; P value: 0.041). There was statistical significance between the number of days worked at the landfill and the health conditions of the waste pickers (P ≤ 0.001). The cofounders were adjusted for age and years worked, and the result revealed that days worked by the waste pickers' increased their chances of occupational health risks by 1.4 times. It is unlikely that waste pickers will have a risk-free environment, but supportive policies such as provision of adequate personal protective equipment and more awareness programmes on the health risks related to such enterprises will aid in abating the associated risks.
Highlights
The generation of solid waste has increased tremendously over the last decade
In contrast to the developing countries, most developed countries have implemented and adhere to strict waste classification and separation system which is a critical link in the recycling system. e classification system helps in ensuring that most recyclable resources are separated from household waste and which significantly simplifies waste disposal [6]
Using the adjusted cofounders, the multiple logistic regression indicated a statistical significance between waste picking and infectious diseases (AOR: 2.081; 95% CI: 1.349, 2.109; P value: 0.021) and chronic disease (AOR: 2.136; 95% CI: 1.406, 2.254; P value: 0.004). e adjusted crude ratio indicates waste pickers are 2 times more likely to have infectious and chronic diseases
Summary
The generation of solid waste has increased tremendously over the last decade. According to the World Bank, waste generation has intensified to the point where it will double by the year 2025; there is indispensable need for improvement practices of solid waste management [3, 4]. In variance with the sophisticated approaches employed by developed countries in waste management strategies, many developing countries are still struggling with the disposal of waste generated [5]. In contrast to the developing countries, most developed countries have implemented and adhere to strict waste classification and separation system which is a critical link in the recycling system. E classification system helps in ensuring that most recyclable resources are separated from household waste and which significantly simplifies waste disposal [6] In contrast to the developing countries, most developed countries have implemented and adhere to strict waste classification and separation system which is a critical link in the recycling system. e classification system helps in ensuring that most recyclable resources are separated from household waste and which significantly simplifies waste disposal [6]
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