Respiratory and haematological health hazards among waste incineration workers at the open dump in Mansoura city

ABSTRACT

A major aspect of the process of waste incineration is the potential risk to human health that might result from the emission of pollutants generated by waste incineration process. So, the present study was undertaken to determine some of occupational health hazards among waste incineration workers and to detect some of waste incineration emissions. The study comprised 44 workers exposed to waste incineration emissions and 25 controls who were not exposed to waste incineration emissions. All participants were examined using a questionnaire sheet, clinical examinations, laboratory and instrumental investigations. Environmental measurements of some of the waste incineration emissions were carried out at the open dump of the compost fertilizer plant. The study revealed high average emission concentration of particulate matter and lead in the waste emissions at the open dump exceeding their TLVs. There were statistically significant differences between incineration workers and the controls regarding respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function tests, blood lead level, liver and kidney functions, parameters of lipogram, HB, MCHC and immunoglobulin profile. The study recommended; the reduction of the volume of the waste subjected to incineration by encouraging waste recycling, the limitation of open dumps and prevention of open burning of waste and the implementation of the effective preventive and control measures for waste incineration workers