Assessment of heavy metals among auto workers in metropolitan city: a case study.

In recent decades, heavy metals (HMs) have emerged as a global health concern. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is a general lack of awareness regarding the potential health risks associated with HMs pollution among automobile workers. Herein, we investigated the concentration of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) among automobile workers who were occupationally exposed in Mingora City, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Three different automobile groups, i.e., battery recyclers, spray painters, and mechanics were studied in detail. A total of 40 blood samples were collected from automobile workers groups while 10 blood samples were collected as control individuals from different locations in the study area. We investigated heavy metals concentration with a standard method using an atomic absorption spectrometer AAS (PerkinElmer Analyst 700, United States). Based on our findings, the battery recycling group displayed the most elevated Pb levels (5.45 ± 2.11 µg/dL), exceeding those of both the spray painters' group (5.12 ± 1.98 µg/dL) and the mechanics' group (3.79 ± 2.21 µg/dL). This can be attributed to their higher exposure to Pb pollution resulting from the deterioration, dismantling, grinding, or crushing of old batteries. In the context of chromium (Cr) exposure, a similar trend was observed among the battery recycling group, as well as the spray painters and mechanics groups. However, in the case of cadmium (Cd), the mechanics' group exhibited the highest level of exposure (4.45 ± 0.65 µg/dL), surpassing the battery recycling group (1.17 ± 0.45 µg/dL) and the spray painters' group (1.35 ± 0.69 µg/dL), which was attributed to their greater exposure to welding fumes and other activities in their workplace. We believe that our findings will encourage regulatory measures to improve the health of automobile workers. However, further work is needed to determine various health-related issues associated with heavy metal exposure among automobile workers.

Investigating recycling decisions of internet recyclers: A step towards zero waste economy.

Online recycling has been recognized as an efficient method for waste recycling. This paper focuses on the information asymmetry between an internet recycler and consumers in the online transaction of used products. This paper is to find an optimal strategy for the internet recycler when the consumers would make an adverse selection in submitting the classification results (the used products would be classified into two kinds according to the quality: High quality and Low quality) of used products in online orders to avoid the loss because of internet recycler's moral hazard, which might bring the extra cost for internet recycler. Therefore, this study used game theory to establish a Stackelberg game model for analyzing an internet recycler and consumers' decision-making in the online transaction of used products. Based on the analysis of consumers' behaviors in an online transaction, internet recycler's strategies are divided into two kinds: A, high moral hazard strategy, and B, low moral hazard strategy. It is found that the strategy of low moral hazard is optimal for the internet recycler compared to the strategy of high moral hazard. Further, though strategy B is optimal, the internet recyclers is suggested to increase their moral hazard probability when the H used products are increasing (High-quality ones). Besides, for strategy B, the correction cost for wrong H orders and correction benefit from correction of wrong L orders would decrease the optimal moral hazard probability, and the impact of the correction benefit from correction of wrong L orders on the decision of moral hazard probability is more obvious.

Technology adoption path of construction and demolition waste recycling under governmental subsidy: a theoretical model.

To achieve sustainable development, waste recycling is regarded as an ideal method to dispose of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The economy is seen as the priority factor influencing recycling technology adoption. Hence, the subsidy is generally used to cross the economic barrier. To illustrate the recycling technology adoption path under governmental subsidy, this paper constructs a non-cooperative game model to investigate the impact of governmental subsidy on the C&D waste recycling technology adoption. By taking adoption profit, opportunity cost, and initial adoption marginal cost into consideration, the best time to adopt recycling technology and adoption behavior is discussed in detail in four scenarios. Results show that the governmental subsidy has a positive impact on C&D waste recycling technology adoption, and the subsidy could advance the adoption time of recyclers. If the subsidy proportion can reach 70% of the cost, recyclers will adopt recycling technology at the initial time. The results could contribute to a deeper understanding of C&D waste management by promoting the development of C&D waste recycling projects and also provide references to governments.

An evolutionary game analysis on price competition in recycling industry between large and small enterprises of China.

This research aims to analyse and understand recycling phenomena and competition between large-scale and small-scale enterprises under different public attention. It mainly emphasizes service-providing behaviours to the consumers in the recycling industry, where recyclers are struggling to enhance their profits. The government strives to protect the environment by promoting an efficient recycling industry. As fast-growing waste products, the recyclers should achieve the advantage of number and be equipped with service capability for the consumers. Thus, this study employs an evolutionary game model to analyse the competition for waste products acquisitions between large and small recyclers. Due to a significant association between the service and acquisition waste product price for the consumers and recycling quantity, there is a strong mutual influence between the acquisition price of waste products and the price strategy-taken rate of large and small recyclers. Results also reveal that the market acquisition price and processing cost play a crucial role in recyclers' decision-making on setting prices for acquiring waste products from consumers. Furthermore, it is also found that waste products acquisition price and recyclers' processing cost are the key factors that affect large and small recyclers' recycling quantity.

Occupational exposure to metals among battery recyclers in France: Biomonitoring and external dose measurements.

In battery-recycling facilities, exposure to trace elements may occur through inhalation of contaminated dust or vapor emanating from the treatment processes. Exposure of battery-recycling workers to lead has been quite well covered in the literature. In contrast, we lack data on exposure to other elements contained in batteries. The aim of this study was to characterize the exposure of French battery recyclers to multiple elements using biomonitoring and airborne measurements. Eighty-six workers participated in the study. Inhalable metal concentrations were determined for personal airborne samples, and total exposure was determined from pre-shift and post-shift urine samples collected during the working week. In both types of sample, a total of 33 trace elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed battery recyclers to be mostly exposed to Cd, Co, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Administrative and sorting workers were exposed at lower levels than maintenance, treatment, and dismantling workers. Cd, Co, Li, Mn, and Ni were detected at high levels in air samples, especially near the treatment facilities, with airborne cadmium levels of up to 79.4 µg/m3. Urinary sample analysis indicated exposure to Cd and Co, with levels measured at up to 27.6 and 3.34 µg/g of creatinine, respectively. Concentrations were compared to data reported for e-waste recycling companies. The data presented provide valuable information on exposure to trace elements for workers involved in battery-recycling. They also highlight the need to improve both collective and individual protective measures, which were not sufficient in the participating companies.

Association between toxic and essential metals in blood and global DNA methylation among electronic waste workers in Agbogbloshie, Ghana.

Aberrant global DNA methylation status is a known biomarker for increased disease risk, especially cancer. There is little published data on the association between toxic and essential metal mixtures and global DNA methylation in electronic waste (e-waste) workers. We aimed to establish the association between toxic and essential metals in blood and the effect of their interactions on global DNA methylation among e-waste recyclers and a reference group in Ghana. We used ICP-MS to measure the level of five metals (Se, Zn, Mn, Cd, and Pb) in the blood of 100 e-waste workers and 51 controls. We quantified blood DNA methylation levels of LINE-1 as an indicator of global DNA methylation. Cd, Mn, and Se levels were significantly higher in the reference group than in e-waste workers. Only Pb was significantly higher in the e-waste workers compared to the controls. Our linear regression analysis results showed a significant inverse association between Zn and LINE-1 DNA methylation (ßZn = - 0.912; 95% CI, - 1.512, - 0.306; p = 0.003) which corresponds to a 0.009 decrease in %LINE-1 methylation (95% CI, - 0.015, - 0.003; p = 0.003) for a 1% increase in Zn concentration. Potential interactions between Cd and Zn on global DNA methylation were observed. In summary, co-exposure to toxic and essential metals is associated with global (LINE-1) DNA methylation.

Condiciones de trabajo y salud en población recicladora de un asentamiento precario de Asunción (Paraguay). Un estudio desde el análisis de prevalencias dermatológicas / Working and health conditions among a recycling community from a precarious settlement in Asunción (Paraguay). An analysis of the prevalence of dermatological diseases / Condições de trabalho e saúde na população de catadores de material reciclável de uma favela de Asunción (Paraguai). Um estudo desde a análise de prevalências dermatológicas

Resumen Objetivo: Este artículo tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis comparativo de la prevalencia de enfermedades dermatológicas, antecedentes en salud y medidas de protección de seguridad y salud en el trabajo entre la población recicladora y no recicladora que vive alrededor del vertedero municipal de la ciudad de Asunción, en Paraguay. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo y transversal, con una muestra no aleatoria intencional en cuatro microterritorios, que incluyó 40 personas de entre 15 y 76 años: 22 recicladores y 18 no recicladores. Resultados: Se encontró que los recicladores presentaron mayor prevalencia de enfermedades dermatológicas en el examen físico y en antecedentes de salud, entre los cuales se identificó un 63,7 % con tres o más lesiones en piel (en contraste con un 16,6 % de los no recicladores), y pronunciados porcentajes en enfermedades infecciosas cutáneas: micosis (50 %) y de origen bacteriano (31,8 %). En antecedentes cutáneos, los recicladores resultaron con mayores proporciones en heridas por corte (59,1 %), forúnculos (59,1%), tunga penetrans (40,9 %), larva migrans cutánea (36,4 %), heridas infectadas por corte (27,3 %), fotodaño (22,7 %), tinea pedis (13,6 %) y heridas por punción de jeringa (9,1 %). Estos reportaron también mayores porcentajes respecto a frecuentes problemas respiratorios, gastrointestinales, cefaleas y dolores musculoesqueléticos. Se constataron insuficientes medidas de protección de seguridad y salud en los trabajadores dedicados a la actividad del reciclado. Conclusión: Estos resultados sugieren un mayor potencial de exposición del grupo de recicladores a una variedad de fuentes de riesgos en salud relacionadas con las condiciones precarias de su actividad laboral, lo cual apunta a un desafío prioritario para la salud pública.

Abstract Objective: This article aims to perform a comparative analysis of the prevalence of dermatological diseases, past medical history and, safety and health conditions at work among a recycling and a non-recycling population living around the municipal landfill in Asunción, Paraguay. Methodology: A descriptive and cross-sectional study, with a non-random sample chosen intentionally in four micro-territories was carried out, which included 40 people aged between 15 and 76 years: 22 recyclers and 18 non-recyclers. Results: Recyclers showed a higher prevalence of dermatological diseases based on physical examinations and review of their past medical history; among them 63.7% were identified with three or more skin lesions (in contrast to 16.6% of non-recyclers) and high percentages of cutaneous infectious diseases: mycotic (50 %) and bacterial (31.8%). Regarding their past medical history of cutaneous diseases, recyclers reported cut wounds (59.1 %), boils (59.1%), tunga penetrans (40.9 %), cutaneous larva migrans (36.4 %), infected cut wounds (27.3 %), photodamage (22.7 %), tinea pedis (13.6 %) and puncture wounds (syringe) (9.1 %). They also reported frequent respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, headaches and musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, insufficient safety and health protection measures were found in workers engaged in recycling. Conclusion: These results indicate a greater exposure to a variety of risk factors related to the precarious work conditions of the recycling group, and this aspect becomes a challenge for public health as well.

Resumo Objetivo: Este artigo tem como objetivo realizar uma análise comparativa de prevalência de enfermidades dermatológicas, antecedentes em saúde e medidas de proteção de segurança e saúde no trabalho entre a população catadora e não catadora que mora ao redor do aterro sanitário municipal da cidade de Asunción, no Paraguai. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo e transversal com uma amostragem não aleatória intencional em 4 microterritórios, que incluiu 40 pessoas entre 15 e 76 anos: 22 catadores e 18 não catadores. Resultados: Encontrou-se que os catadores apresentaram maior prevalência de enfermidades dermatológicas no exame físico e em antecedentes de saúde, entre os quais identificou-se um 63,7% com três ou mais lesões na pele (em contraste com um 16,6% dos não catadores) e porcentagens representativas em enfermidades infecciosas cutâneas: micoses (50%) e de origem bacteriana (31,8%). Nos antecedentes cutâneos, os catadores apresentaram maiores proporções de feridas por corte (59,1%), furúnculos (59,1%), tunga penetrans (40,9%), larva migrans cutânea (36,4%), feridas infetadas por cortes (27,3%), fotoenvelhecimento (22,7%), tineapedis (13,6%) e feridas por punção de seringa (9,1%). Também apresentaram porcentagens maiores relacionadas a frequentes problemas respiratórios, gastrointestinais, cefaleias e dores musculoesqueléticas. Foram constatadas medidas insuficientes de proteção de segurança e saúde nos trabalhadores dedicados à atividade de reciclagem. Conclusão: Estes resultados sugerem um potencial maior de exposição do grupo de catadores a uma variedade de fontes de risco em saúde relacionadas com as precárias condições de seu trabalho o que representa um desafio prioritário para a saúde pública.

Investigating the effect of government subsidies on end-of-life vehicle recycling.

To have a deeper understanding of the Chinese market reaction for different subsidy policies made by the government, we establish a game model of the competition between legal recyclers and illegal recyclers with government involved. Further, we consider the quality differentiation of end-of-life vehicles in every player's decision-making. With a numerical simulation, the researchers validated this study. Based on the results of this research, we found that compared with the strategy of subsidizing the legal recyclers, subsidizing the end-of-life vehicle owners is more effective, and the legal recyclers would get more business from end-of-life vehicle owners. The quality of end-of-life vehicles plays a vital role when the recyclers make decisions on their recycling behaviour. Moreover, the differential subsidy policy will probably be useless if most of the end-of-life vehicles in the market are in poor quality. So, the Chinese government should adjust its policies on end-of-life vehicle market development based on the quality distribution of end-of-life vehicles, and the quality management should be implemented in the end-of-life vehicle supply chain for the efficiency and effectiveness of subsidy policies.

Micronutrient Status of Electronic Waste Recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana.

Growing evidence suggests that micronutrient status is adversely impacted by toxic metals (e.g., cadmium, lead, and arsenic) exposures; however, the micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers who are amongst the highest metal-exposed groups is not known. This study, therefore, assessed the micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers using dietary information (2-day 24-h recall survey) and biomarker data (whole blood and urine) among 151 participants (100 e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie and 51 controls at Madina Zongo from the Accra region, Ghana) in March 2017. Biomarker levels of iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were analyzed by the ICP-MS. Linear regression models were used to assess associations ofwork-related factors and sociodemographic characteristics with micronutrient intake, blood, and urine micronutrient levels. The results showed that apart from Fe and Zn, e-waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie did not meet the day-to-day dietary requirements for Ca, Cu, Se, and Mg intake. Except for the low levels of Mg and Fe detected in blood of e-waste recyclers, all other micronutrients measured in both blood and urine of both groups fell within their reference range. Exposure to biomass burning was associated with lower blood levels of Fe, Mg, and Zn among the e-waste recyclers. Further, among e-waste recyclers, significant relationships were found between the number of years spent recycling e-waste and urinary Ca and Cu excretion. Given that, some dietary and blood levels of micronutrients were below their reference ranges, the implementation of evidence-based nutrition strategies remains necessary among e-waste recyclers to reduce their risk of becoming malnourished.

Micronucleus Evaluation in Exfoliated Human Buccal Epithelium Cells among E-Waste Workers in Payatas, the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: The improper recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) by informal recyclers often leads to contamination of the environment. E-waste contains organic and inorganic compounds along with heavy metals and trace elements. These pollutants can have a negative effect on humans. Biomonitoring can provide information on the sources, amount, geographical distribution, and adverse health effects of contaminants. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess risks to the health of informal e-waste recyclers in Payatas, the Philippines due to their exposure to e-waste toxicity by examining the presence of micronuclei in buccal epithelium cells. METHODOLOGY: Frequencies of binucleated cells (BNc) and abnormal cells were obtained from the buccal epithelium of the study population composed of e-waste exposed recyclers (n=40) and a control group (n=52). Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were employed for the data analysis. RESULTS: Participants' gender, occupation, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and the number of karyolitic cells of both groups were significantly associated. Only occupation in e-waste recycling and length of e-waste exposure were significantly associated in terms of the number of abnormal cells and micronuclei. Similar trends were found in the linear regression analysis drawn from participants' length of e-waste exposure with a significance of R2= 7346, indicating that as the length of e-waste exposure increased, the number of micronuclei found in the participants' buccal epithelium cells increased as well. CONCLUSIONS: Longer exposure to e-waste materials may induce genotoxic damage in human cells which is a serious concern, leading to adverse effects to human health. COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Micronutrient-rich dietary intake is associated with a reduction in the effects of particulate matter on blood pressure among electronic waste recyclers at Agbogbloshie, Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) releases particulate matter (PM) into the ambient air. Human exposure to PM has been reported to induce adverse effects on cardiovascular health. However, the impact of PM on the cardiovascular health of e-waste recyclers in Ghana has not been studied. Although intake of micronutrient-rich diet is known to modify these PM-induced adverse health effects, no data are available on the relationship between micronutrient status of e-waste recyclers and the reported high-level exposure to PM. We therefore investigated whether the intake of micronutrient-rich diets ameliorates the adverse effects of ambient exposure to PM2.5 on blood pressure (BP). METHODS: This study was conducted among e-waste and non-e-waste recyclers from March 2017 to October 2018. Dietary micronutrient (Fe, Ca, Mg, Se, Zn, and Cu) intake was assessed using a 2-day 24-h recall. Breathing zone PM2.5 was measured with a real-time monitor. Cardiovascular indices such as systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) were measured using a sphygmomanometer. Ordinary least-squares regression models were used to estimate the joint effects of ambient exposure to PM2.5 and dietary micronutrient intake on cardiovascular health outcomes. RESULTS: Fe was consumed in adequate quantities, while Ca, Se, Zn, Mg, and Cu were inadequately consumed among e-waste and non-e-waste recyclers. Dietary Ca, and Fe intake was associated with reduced SBP and PP of e-waste recyclers. Although PM2.5 levels were higher in e-waste recyclers, exposures in the control group also exceeded the WHO 24-h guideline value (25 µg/m3). Exposure to 1 µg/m3 of PM2.5 was associated with an increased heart rate (HR) among e-waste recyclers. Dietary Fe intake was associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure levels of e-waste recyclers after PM exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent adequate dietary Fe intake was associated with reduced effects of PM2.5 on SBP of e-waste recyclers overtime. Nonetheless, given that all other micronutrients are necessary in ameliorating the adverse effects of PM on cardiovascular health, nutrition-related policy dialogues are required. Such initiatives would help educate informal e-waste recyclers and the general population on specific nutrients of concern and their impact on the exposure to ambient air pollutants.

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

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 p = 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 p = 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.

The socioeconomic conditions of recyclers: Census data in Cali, Colombia.

This data article describes two data sets about the socioeconomic conditions of recyclers in Cali, the third largest city in Colombia, South America. Data collected were aimed at understanding the social and economic conditions of this population in order to provide information for crafting policy alternatives for poverty alleviation. Information was collected in two waves in 2013 and in 2015. The first data collection (2013) was focused on a subgroup of recyclers and the second data collection (2015) was a census. In total, more than 3000 direct surveys to recyclers were conducted at individual and family level. In both data collection rounds, information about socioeconomic factors, health, working conditions, access to welfare programs and family composition was gathered. Both data rounds were financed by the local government as an input to design policy interventions to improve the recyclers' quality of life in the city. The data of this manuscript is associated with the publication (Estrada et al., 2017).

Predictors of illegal dumping at charitable collection points.

Cleaning and disposal of illegal dumping at charitable collection points costs charities and diverts funds from their charitable programs. However, there is no published literature that attempts to better understand this problem. The current study assesses site-specific characteristics, community level indicators and sociodemographic factors as predictors of both charity stores and collection bin dumping in the metropolitan area of Perth, Australia. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher levels of dumping at stores were predicted by being open on Sundays, the presence of gates/fencing, bringing bins in at night, greater 5-year mobility and lower levels of education and occupation in the area. The analysis also suggests that preventative measures have not necessarily been effective at reducing the amount of illegal dumping at stores. For charity bins, significant predictors of higher levels of dumping included private land ownership, if the site is shared with bins from another charity, the number of bins at the site, the number of days serviced per week, if the bin/s are located at a park/reserve and greater 5-year mobility. These results indicate that there is a combination of site-specific characteristics and community level indicators that play a role in illegal dumping at charitable collection points and indicate the type of interventions which may be successful in reducing illegal dumping. These may include improved maintenance, better placement of bins and signage and collaborations with real estate agents.

Exposure to toxicants in soil and bottom ash deposits in Agbogbloshie, Ghana: human health risk assessment.

Recycling of e-waste using informal or crude techniques poses serious health risk not only to the workers but also to the environment as whole. It is against this background that this paper sought to measure health risk faced by informal e-waste workers from exposure to toxicants such as lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, arsenic, tin, zinc and cobalt via oral and dermal contact with bottom ash and soil. Using random sampling techniques, 3 separate sites each (where burning and manual dismantling of e-wastes are usually carried) were identified, and a total of 402 samples were collected. The samples were analysed using standard methods for chemical analysis prescribed by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, As, Sn, Zn and Co in bottom ash samples from location ASH1 are 5388 ± 0.02 mg/kg (Pb), 2.39 ± 0.01 mg/kg (Cd), 42 ± 0.05 mg/kg (Cr), 7940 ± 0.01 mg/kg (Cu), 20 ± 0.07 mg/kg (As), 225 ± 0.04 mg/kg (Sn), 276 ± 0.04 mg/kg (Zn) and 123 ± 0.04 mg/kg (Co), while concentrations of the aforementioned toxicants in soil samples at location ASG1 are as follows: 1685 ± 0.14 mg/kg (Pb), 26.89 ± 0.30 mg/kg (Cd), 36.86 ± 0.02 mg/kg (Cr), 1427 ± 0.08 mg/kg (Cu), 1622 ± 0.12 mg/kg (As), 234 ± 0.25 mg/kg (Sn), 783 ± 0.31 mg/kg (Zn) and 135 ± 0.01 mg/kg (Co); used as input parameters in assessing health risk faced by workers. The results of cancer health risk faced by e-waste workers due to accidental ingestion of As in bottom ash at ASH1 is 4.3 × 10-3 (CTE) and 6.5 × 10-2 (RME), i.e. approximately 4 out of 1000 e-waste workers are likely to suffer from cancer-related diseases via central tendency exposure (CTE parameters), and 7 out of every 100 e-waste worker is also likely to suffer from cancer cases by reasonable maximum exposure (RME) parameters, respectively. The cancer health risk results for the other sampling sites were found to have exceeded the acceptable USEPA cancer risk value of 1 × 10-4 to 1 × 10-6 (i.e. 1 case of cancer per every 10,000 people to 1 case of cancer per every 1,000,000 people). The non-cancer health risk results for all the toxicants were higher in all the locations for both adult and children working the e-waste site. From the findings of this study, the government of Ghana has to immediately put in place policies that would address the safety of the e-waste workers as well as protect the environment.

Posibilidades y desafíos de las organizaciones solidarias: el caso de las organizaciones de recicladores en la ciudad de Bogotá / Possibilities and Challenges of Solidarity Organizations: the Case of Recyclers' Organizations in Bogotá

Este artículo es el resultado del acercamiento a una asociación de recicladores de la ciudad de Bogotá, con el fin de observar cómo ha sido la organización de un grupo de trabajadores, que se ha visto avocado a generar procesos asociativos en medio de condiciones laborales sustentadas en lógicas individualistas e inmediatistas. Los resultados del estudio permitieron ver cómo el proceso asociativo ha propiciado el reconocimiento social y político de los asociados, la construcción de una dinámica colectiva en tensión con la lógica del trabajo individual y la transformación de prácticas deliberativas, relacionales y de liderazgo. Las dificultades que enfrentan las organizaciones de recicladores obligan a construir nuevos escenarios en los cuales las redes de colaboración con organizaciones privadas y públicas favorezcan el desarrollo y viabilidad de estas iniciativas.

This paper is the result of an approach made to a recyclers association in Bogotá, in order to observe how the organizational process has been for a group of workers bound to conform associative processes within working conditions sustained on individualistic and immediate logics. From the results, it was possible to see how the organizational process has fostered social and political recognition for the associated, the construction of a collective dynamic in tension with the individual work logic and the transformation of deliberative, relational and leadership practices. The difficulties faced by the recyclers' organizations force to build new scenarios of collaboration networks with private and public organizations to promote the development and viability of these associations.

Autocuidado en recicladores-recuperadores informales de Medellín, Colombia, 2005 / Self-care in individuals who recycle garbage (recyclers) of Medellín, Colombia, 2005

OBJETIVO: comprender las concepciones, actitudes y prácticas sobre autocuidado en los recicladores informales de Medellín. METODOLOGÍA: se realizó un estudio cualitativo desde la perspectiva de los recuperadores no agremiados de Medellín en el 2005. Se aplicaron 52 entrevistas, con previo consentimiento informado, observación no participante y diario de campo. RESULTADOS: el autocuidado se concibe como la protección del cuerpo con el fin de evitar la ocurrencia de enfermedad; incluye aspectos de higiene, dieta, consulta médica, uso del tiempo libre y utilización de instrumentos de protección personal, como guantes, tapabocas, cachucha, tapaoídos y otros. DISCUSIÓ: la prevención de la enfermedad trasciende el plano biológico y se posiciona en una dimensión social para la persona, en que lo más importante son las consecuencias que puede generar para sí misma, su grupo de trabajo y su familia. Los recuperadores poseen saberes sobre la prevención y las prácticas que promueven la salud y el bienestar, pero estas últimas no son aplicadas porque disminuyen su rendimiento, no las consideran necesarias, no depende de ellos ejecutarlas o carecen de los recursos económicos. Las prácticas de autocuidado del recuperador se sustentan más por la primacía de la historia del grupo que por el saber científico.

OBJECTIVE: to understand the conceptions, attitudes and practices about self-care among informal recyclers in Medellín. METHODOLOGY: a qualitative study from the perspective of recyclers not belonging to any guild in Medellín in 2005 was developed. A total amount of 52 interviews with previous informed consent were applied, plus non-participant observation and field diary. RESULTS: self-care is understood as the constant protection of the body in order to avoid the occurrence of diseases. It includes aspects of hygiene, diet, medical consultation, proper use of leisure time and utilization of instruments for personal protection, such as gloves, face masks, caps, and ear plugs among other devices. DISCUSSION: disease prevention goes beyond biological aspects and becomes part of a social dimension for people in which the most important features are the consequences for themselves, their labor team and their families. Recyclers have knowledge on prevention and practices that promote health and well-being, but the latter are not applied because they diminish their job performance, or they do not consider them to be necessary, do not feel like executing them nor they lack the economic resources to assume them. Autocare practices of recyclers are mainly supported by the primacy of the team history than by the scientific knowledge concerning it.