Repi Open Dump Site Environmental Health Problem on Workers and People around It

— In most developing countries, infectious wastes are still mixed with general solid waste for collection. Waste pickers, many of whom are children, at the dumpsites commonly segregate and recycle the disposable syringes and cotton bandages, despite the obvious contamination from the blood and other body fluids visible on these wastes. The participation of private sectors and poor monitoring systems wastes from industries, hospitals (health institutions) and different organizations are being mixed with municipal solid wastes and dumped together into this site. Presumably, this condition would make the site to be potential source of exposure to different health affecting situations for solid waste disposal workers. The health problems of solid waste disposal workers were associated with the nature of the work they do. The respondents said that physical injury (51.4%), skin problems (57.14%), respiratory problems (74.29%), GIT problems (60%), headache, nausea and vomiting (100%) and vision problems (62.57%) are their main health problems and they are experiencing them after they became solid waste disposal workers. the presence of the constitutional rights of the citizens to live on clean environment and many proclamations and international conventions to avoid health risks for workers, nothing had done for solid waste disposal workers. Adequate protective wears (personal protective equipment, PPE), such as respiratory masks, hand gloves, protective clothing and safety shoes should be provided to solid waste disposal workers, to ensure their safety and that of the public in general. Regular health education on health and safety issues for solid waste disposal workers is very important to develop Behavioral Based Practice (BBP).