Continued Medical Waste Exposure of Recyclable Collectors Despite Dumpsite Closures in Brazil

BACKGROUND. Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, currently has the largest dumpsite of the Americas at Estrutural, with over 30 million tons of waste accumulated. Recyclable waste collectors are a group of workers who, in addition to having a low socioeconomic status and residing in vulnerable areas, work sorting garbage in inadequate and unsanitary areas. This profession puts individuals at risk, resulting in death, mutilation, and disease for workers. OBJECTIVES. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of waste on recyclable collectors, along with their perceptions of associated risks. METHODS. A qualitative study was conducted, using interviews with 34 participants at Estrutural. RESULTS. Collectors were exposed to several hazards, including biological, physical, and more extreme hazards (e.g. being run over by waste trucks). Personal protective equipment was not adequately used, exposing recyclable collectors to injury. Accidents included cuts, burns, skin lesions, eyes lesions, and arm, leg, head, feet, and hand injuries and amputations. Often, homecare remedies and collected medical waste (e.g. pain killers) were used on these injuries instead of seeking out proper medical care. CONCLUSIONS. Recyclable collectors were aware of occupational hazards, but lacked education on the risks and consequences associated with exposure to medical hazards. Moreover, Brazil recently formally closed all dumpsites, complicating this issue. The findings of the present study confirm the need to address these hazards to provide a safe working environment for waste pickers. PARTICIPANT CONSENT. Obtained ETHICS APPROVAL. This study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the Health School of Brasília University under Opinion n. 1.517.670/2016. COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests.