Occupational Exposure to Dioxins at UK Worksites

Sweetman, Andrew J.; Keen, Chris; Healy, J.W.; Ball, Elanor; Davy, C

doi:10.1093/annhyg/meh020

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The selected papers included several studies showing significant exposure to heavy metal particulates, particularly lead when torch cutting metal plate and from lead-acid battery recycling. Three papers reported raised ambient levels of dioxins and dibenzofurans [ 41 ] and one of raised serum markers of oxidative stress in workers engaged in the melting of scrap metal.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review: Occupational illness in the waste and recycling sector

Poole

Basu

2017

Occupational Medicine

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BackgroundThe waste and recycling sector is a growing part of industry. Whether health surveillance is indicated and how it should be undertaken is unclear.AimsTo undertake a review of the literature to identify hazards to health, biological effects and occupational illnesses for workers in the sector.MethodsA systematic review of the published literature and two UK databases.ResultsRates of fatal, non-fatal injuries and self-reported work-related illness were found to be higher in the waste and recycling sector than in UK industry as a whole. There was an increased prevalence of respiratory, gastro-intestinal and skin complaints in workers exposed to compost relative to controls. They may also be at increased risk of extrinsic allergic alveolitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, occupational asthma and abnormalities of lung function. Workers involved with the recycling of batteries and cables may be at risk of lead poisoning and exposure to other heavy metals. There were case reports of mercury poisoning from the recycling of fluorescent lights. Cases of occupational asthma have been reported in association with wood and paper recycling. The recycling of e-waste may cause exposure to heavy metals and organic pollutants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, dioxins and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, which have been associated with damage to DNA and adverse neonatal outcomes.ConclusionsIll-health and adverse biological effects have been described in waste and recycling workers, but their true prevalence has probably not been captured. Targeted health surveillance may be required to assess exposure and to identify occupational illness.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systematic Review: Occupational illness in the waste and recycling sector

Poole

Basu

2017

Occupational Medicine

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“…Sweetman et al (2004) and Eduljee and Dyke (1996) identified a number of work sites in the United Kingdom where occupational exposure to dioxins could occur. The sites with possibly the highest exposures, greater than in pesticide production, included metal recycling, ferrous metal production, zinc smelting, cement manufacture, municipal waste incinerators, coal power stations and workers on landfill sites.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational cancer in Britain

Brown

Darnton²,

Fortunato³

et al. 2012

Br J Cancer

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“…Dioxins or chlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins are structurally similar to chlorinated hydrocarbons (the most toxic form being dioxins), and are by-products of industrial processes (e.g., coke production, manufacture of non-ferrous metals, lime; Eduljee and Dyke, 1996) and combustion (e.g., burning biomass, coal, oil), and may be released at metal and waste recycling sites (Sweetman et al , 2004). For TCDD, the following risk estimates were used for specific occupational groups:…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%