Investigating atmosphere’s environmental components and work environment of a household landfill’s platform

Abstract

Household landfills can be important sources of air quality contamination if they do not comply with technological sorting and storage procedures. Also, workers' exposure to environmental hazards endangers their health over time. A significant amount of household waste is stored in cells, monthly, after a sorting process that leaves a considerable ecological footprint. In this study we analysed air quality at the boundary of a compliant household landfill, as well as the quality of work environment of landfill’s workers. To do this, we performed measurements on two levels (air quality and work environment) over three months, following different phases of waste disposal and different activities involving workers serving the facilities. From an applied perspective, results obtained from research activities provide clear answers to questions related to ways in which environmental components are affected by waste storage activities, and workers are exposed to professional noxious. Results show that the landfill deteriorates environment quality, over time, as well as health of workers. Topic relevance is in connection with its potential future contribution to development of knowledge in the approached field, to be able to quantify progress, once integrated systems for modern ecological collection and storage have legislative regulations.