Upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms in domestic waste collectors

Abstract

Objectives: To compare respiratory symptoms and upper airway inflammation in domestic waste collectors and controls, and to find the association between measures of upper airway inflammation on the one hand and exposure concentrations of organic dust or respiratory symptoms on the other hand. Methods: In a cross sectional study among 47 waste collectors and 15 controls, questionnaire data on respiratory symptoms were collected. Nasal lavage (NAL), to assess upper airway inflammation, was performed before and after a work shift at the beginning and at the end of the working week. In NAL fluid, cells were counted and differentiated and concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL6), IL8, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and IL1β were measured. In collectors, inhalable dust samples were collected in which bacterial endotoxin and mould β(1→3)-glucan were assessed. Results: Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in waste collectors than in controls. Geometric mean exposure concentrations were 0.58 mg/m 3 for dust, 39 EU/m 3 for endotoxin, and 1.3 µg/m 3 for β(1→3)-glucan. At the end of the week collectors had higher concentrations of total cells and IL8 in NAL before and after a shift than controls (cells, before 1.9-fold p<0.10, after 3.3-fold p<0.01; IL8, before and after 1.8-fold p<0.05), and after/before work shift ratios of total cells were also higher (2.3-fold p=0.06) in collectors than in controls. Cells in NAL fluid consisted predominantly of neutrophils and epithelial cells, whereas eosinophils and mononuclear cells were rarely found. Exposure to dust and endotoxin was associated with concentrations of IL8 after the shift (p<0.05). Increased concentrations of IL8 (p<0.05) and total cells (p<0.10) after the shift were associated with respiratory symptoms. Concentrations of IL6, TNFα, and IL1β were not associated with waste collecting, symptoms, or exposure. Conclusions: Waste collectors show signs of increased upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms compared with controls. Exposure to organic dust probably underlies the inflammation mediated by neutrophils that result in respiratory symptoms.

Airway Inflammation and Upregulation of β2 Mac‐1 Integrin Expression on Circulating Leukocytes of Female Ragpickers in India

“…Taken together, leukocyte and platelet activation and rise in proinflammatory cytokine levels in plasma could be attributed, at least in part, to the ragpicking profession. Our findings are in conformity with the reports of other investigators who showed neutrophilia and raised IL-8 concentration in nasal lavage fluid 14) and induced sputum of organic waste collectors 15) . Ragpickers expose themselves to organic wastes while looking for anything recyclable in MSW.…”

Health Risk Survey for Domestic Waste Management Agency Workers: Case Study on Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB), Kelantan, Malaysia

“…In addition, the recent studies have indicated that the high rate of gastrointestinal problems, irritation of the eye and skin, and symptoms of organic dust toxic syndrome (influenza-like symptoms, cough, muscle pains, fever, fatigue and headache) have been reported among workers collecting the domestic waste [7]. Moreover, there are health risk or symptoms of the domestic waste collectors were affected to the upper airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms [11].…”

Medical Waste Collectors in Eastern Ethiopia are Exposed to High Sharp Injury and Blood and Body Fluids Contamination

“…Waste collectors are at high risk of acquiring disease resulting from exposure to various work hazards [4,5]. There are studies showing different health complaints such as respiratory problems [6][7][8], increased risk of hepatitis A and B [9,10] and skin diseases [11] for people working in waste handling.…”