Embedded Files
Waste handlers of Dhaka city are exposed to a range of health hazards, further heightened by adverse safety practices. Manual handling of municipal solid waste poses a serious risk to their health, through occupational injuries and causal morbidities during the waste management process. This qualitative study included conducting In-depth Interviews with the waste collectors and recyclers and Key Informant Interviews with the officials in charge of secondary transfer stations for the waste (STSs), researchers and academicians, and civil society experts engaged in waste-related activities. Our study aimed at exploring the knowledge, attitudes and practices of waste handlers regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), demand and supply-side challenges and limitations of providing and using PPE, the physical health sufferings and mental stress of the handlers and their health-seeking behaviour. Thematic analysis of study suggested that the majority of waste handlers do not use PPE during waste handling, increasing their exposure to morbidities and accidental injuries. They feel that the PPE is uncomfortable and hampers their efficiency. Commonly found ailments include lower back pain, headache, asthma, cold and cough, fever, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. The findings also reflected the tendency of seeking care from informal care providers, poor care management practices. The handlers also suffer psychological stress due to social stigmatization and lack of communal respect. Along with effective training and capacity building initiatives, there is a need to monitor the use of PPE and ensure proper health and safety rules are maintained. It is also necessary to build social awareness about the importance of waste handlers to ensure their physical and mental health wellbeing.
Proper management of increasing solid waste is a major challenge for Dhaka city. Hence, the consequences on health are numerous and depend on the nature of the waste, individuals exposed, duration of exposure and availability of interventions for those exposed. This study seeks to identify the potential health risk associated with contamination from STSs and landfills in Dhaka city.
Solid waste management is one of the biggest concerns in Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka city at present. This paper aims to find the gaps and challenges in solid waste management policies and implementations and thus, gives an insight towards sustainable solid waste management system in the country.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse