Abstract
The increase in the generation of Solid Urban Waste causes social, environmental problems and damages to the population's health. Professionals who work in the collection of recyclable waste are exposed to risks of contamination either by toxic elements or pathogenic organisms. The objective of the work was to estimate the types and prevalence of intestinal parasites in waste pickers. A field research was carried out from December 2017 to April 2018 with the voluntary participation of 26 waste pickers belonging to three associations in the municipality of Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, Brazil (CAAE: nº 79937817.7.0000.8122). In addition to the application a socio-environmental questionnaire, each volunteer provided a stool sample for laboratory testing the parasitological examination. Of the 26 survey participants, four (15.4%) had a positive result and were infected by the parasites Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli and Iodamoeba butschlii. Among the main factors that can contribute to the infection these waste pickers are the ingestion of untreated water for consumption in addition to reduced access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during waste management. One way to control the presence of parasites would be through health and environmental education actions, periodic parasitological examinations and permanent use of PPE.
Highlights
Over the years, an increase in the generation of Solid Urban Waste (SUW) can be noted, and, accompanied by this increase, it is growth visible that, in cities, waste is found to be improperly packaged
Contrary to what was verified in the municipality of Conselheiro Lafaiete, Minas Gerais, in a study handle in the municipality of Pelotas, the author found that 80.30% (53) of the waste pickers were men and 19.70% (13) women, who, in general, do not work outside from home because they perform other unpaid functions, such as care for the home and family (Valente, Silva, & Xavier, 2016)
Two people were infected by the parasite Giardia lamblia, one by Entamoeba coli, and one by Iodamoeba butschilii, all species of parasites belonging to the group of protozoa
Summary
An increase in the generation of Solid Urban Waste (SUW) can be noted, and, accompanied by this increase, it is growth visible that, in cities, waste is found to be improperly packaged. In Brazil, around 7 million tons of solid waste per year are not collected or have an improper destination This scenario results in damage to the health of the population in all regions of the country (Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Limpeza Pública de Resíduos Especiais [Abrelpe], 2016). Solid wastes such materials, substances, objects, or disposable goods, generated from human actions must have an environmentally correct final destination, that is, guaranteeing their reuse, recycling, composting, and energy use. Recyclable materials, cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, metal, or any other type of common waste, except food, are considered recyclable
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