scholarly journals Bioaerosols, Noise, and Ultraviolet Radiation Exposures for Municipal Solid Waste Handlers

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
France Ncube ◽  
Esper Jacobeth Ncube ◽  
Kuku Voyi
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Compositional Analysis ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Multifaceted Approach ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Chemical Hazards

Few studies have investigated the occupational hazards of municipal solid waste workers, particularly in developing countries. Resultantly these workers are currently exposed to unknown and unabated occupational hazards that may endanger their health. We determined municipal solid waste workers’ work related hazards and associated adverse health endpoints. A multifaceted approach was utilised comprising bioaerosols sampling, occupational noise, thermal conditions measurement, and field based waste compositional analysis. Results from our current study showed highest exposure concentrations for Gram-negative bacteria (6.8 × 103 cfu/m3) and fungi (12.8 × 103 cfu/m3), in the truck cabins. Significant proportions of toxic, infectious, and surgical waste were observed. Conclusively, municipal solid waste workers are exposed to diverse work related risks requiring urgent sound interventions. A framework for assessing occupational risks of these workers must prioritize performance of exposure assessment with regard to the physical, biological, and chemical hazards of the job.

Airborne microorganisms in a municipal solid waste recovery system

1985 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L. Lembke ◽  
Richard N. Kniseley
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Waste Recovery ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Recovery System ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci ◽  
Klebsiella Spp

The types of bacteria and fungi present in the air of a municipal solid waste recovery system have been characterized and the population densities estimated. Conventional methods were successful in enumerating coagulase-positive staphylococci, Klebsiella spp., gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and common indicator organisms. Selective and enrichment media, however, did not yield Salmonella isolates. Salmonella and Shigella were recovered at a frequency of 3% or less on trypticase soy agar. A broad spectrum of bacteria and fungi were isolated. No evidence has been found that indicates that these organisms have produced adverse health effects.

scholarly journals Characterisation and composition identification of waste-derived fuels obtained from municipal solid waste using thermogravimetry: A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 942-965
Author(s):  
Spyridoula Gerassimidou ◽  
Costas A Velis ◽  
Paul T Williams ◽  
Dimitrios Komilis
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Evolved Gas Analysis ◽  
Complex Mixture ◽  
Compositional Analysis ◽  
Gas Analysis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Test Portion ◽  
Analytical Technique ◽  
Multiple Levels

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is the most widespread thermal analytical technique applied to waste materials. By way of critical review, we establish a theoretical framework for the use of TGA under non-isothermal conditions for compositional analysis of waste-derived fuels from municipal solid waste (MSW) (solid recovered fuel (SRF), or refuse-derived fuel (RDF)). Thermal behaviour of SRF/RDF is described as a complex mixture of several components at multiple levels (including an assembly of prevalent waste items, materials, and chemical compounds); and, operating conditions applied to TGA experiments of SRF/RDF are summarised. SRF/RDF mainly contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Polyvinyl chloride is also used in simulated samples, for its high chlorine content. We discuss the main limitations for TGA-based compositional analysis of SRF/RDF, due to inherently heterogeneous composition of MSW at multiple levels, overlapping degradation areas, and potential interaction effects among waste components and cross-contamination. Optimal generic TGA settings are highlighted (inert atmosphere and low heating rate (⩽10°C), sufficient temperature range for material degradation (⩾750°C), and representative amount of test portion). There is high potential to develop TGA-based composition identification and wider quality assurance and control methods using advanced thermo-analytical techniques (e.g. TGA with evolved gas analysis), coupled with statistical data analytics.

scholarly journals Postural Analysis of a Developing Country’s Municipal Solid Waste Handlers and a Reference Group of Hospital General Hands using the RULA Method

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
France Ncube ◽  
Esper Jacobeth Ncube ◽  
Kuku Voyi
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Similar Work ◽  
Working Postures ◽  
Postural Analysis ◽  
Hospital General

BACKGROUND: Municipal solid waste handlers perform various work activities which may contribute to the onset of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs). This study conducted a postural analysis of these workers and a reference group of hospital general hands in order to identify unsafe working postures requiring correction. METHODS: The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methodology was used for postural analysis to 30 municipal solid waste handlers (MSWHs) and a reference group of 30 hospital general hands (HGHs) involved in similar work activities. Field observations and photography were used to collect data. Collected data was analysed using STATA version 13.RESULTS: The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the two groups. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for lifting, carrying and emptying activities. For both groups, the mean postural scores for pushing, pulling and standing activities were mainly in the low risk category and not statistically significant (p > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Results of the present study show unsafe RULA postural scores to MSWHs with regard to lifting, carrying and emptying of refuse bins. Such scores are suggestive of an elevated risk to developing WRMDs in these workers compared to the reference group.

Municipal solid waste landfills biogas utilization

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 192-202
Author(s):  
A Yurchenko ◽  
◽  
D Kulikova ◽  
E Dmitruk ◽  
L Cheberiachko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste Landfills ◽  
Solid Waste Landfills
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