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2025-12-31
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INEFFECTIVE WASTE SITE CLOSURES IN BRAZIL: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON CONTINUING HEALTH CONDITIONS AND OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS OF WASTE COLLECTORS
Recyclable materials
Recycling wastes
Occupational risks
Exposures
Hazards
Recyclable collectors
Brazil
Uso de Resíduos Sólidos
Riscos Ocupacionais
Coleta de Resíduos Sólidos
Revisão Sistemática
Catadores
Author
Affilliation
National University. Department of Community Health. San Diego, CA, United States.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Enfermagem. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade da Ceilândia. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade da Ceilândia. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade da Ceilândia. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde. Departamento de Enfermagem. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade da Ceilândia. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade da Ceilândia. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Universidade de Brasília. Faculdade da Ceilândia. Departamento de Saúde Coletiva. Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Abstract
There are approximately 15 million people engaged in waste collection or recycling activities in the world. Some of these dump sites are informal and people work in environments that are labor-intensive, unregulated, unregistered, low-paid, unrecorded, and environmentally hazardous. A systematic review was conducted to assess consequential health conditions and occupational risks that affect waste collectors in Brazil. The search was limited to Brazil because although the government closed dump sites, open-air dumping-the worst type of waste disposal-still occurs in about half of the country; moreover, Brazil is the only country to systematically collect data on the occupation, with an estimated 229,568 recyclable collectors of all types country-wide, which offers relevant and pertinent data on the topic. The results of the search indicated that nearly every region has individuals that work as recyclable collectors. As expected, the sites are full of occupational hazards to the workers that can include: long working hours; exposures to physical, chemical, mechanical, biological, ergonomic and social agents; and frequent work accidents. Exposure to these risks can result both in physical and psychological illnesses. In view of these findings, public policies could be strengthened by supporting and providing incentives to municipalities, schools, universities, health professionals, and all others who will contribute to the closure of open-air waste or poor waste disposal systems. Moreover, an improved awareness should be provided to the general population about environmental education and correct disposal of garbage. The goal of healthy waste disposal conditions ultimately decreases environmental and public health effects, while improving the working conditions, quality of life, and health outcomes for recyclable collectors.
Keywords
WasteRecyclable materials
Recycling wastes
Occupational risks
Exposures
Hazards
Recyclable collectors
Brazil
DeCS
Gerenciamento de ResíduosUso de Resíduos Sólidos
Riscos Ocupacionais
Coleta de Resíduos Sólidos
Revisão Sistemática
Catadores
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