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

Nonhlanhla Tlotleng, Tahira Kootbodien, Kerry Wilson, Felix Made, Angela Mathee, Vusi Ntlebi, Spo Kgalamono, Moses Mokone, Karen Du Preez and Nisha Naicker
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Nonhlanhla Tlotleng: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Tahira Kootbodien: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Kerry Wilson: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Felix Made: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Angela Mathee: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Vusi Ntlebi: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Spo Kgalamono: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Moses Mokone: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Karen Du Preez: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
Nisha Naicker: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-9

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Cross-sectional study; informal workers; landfill sites; respiratory symptoms; waste recyclers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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