Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System

Waste Workers and Pickers: Neglected Highrisk Groups in Developing Countries During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Document Type : Short Communication

Authors

Vahid Kazemi Moghaddam 1
Tony R. Walker 2
Manizhe Pakdel 3
Parvin Ahmadinejad 4
Ali Akbar Mohammadi 1

1 Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran

2 School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada

3 Department of Nursing, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran

4 Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/jhsss.2021.93040.1410
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has induced some negative environmental issues, especially in the waste management sector. In developing countries, handling waste is carried out by two groups: waste workers and waste pickers who are exposed to possible hazards of infected waste. In the present narrative review, we searched for high-quality English publications in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases. The COVID-19 pandemic led to several problems in waste management systems, especially in developing countries. Due to poor management systems, waste workers and pickers are likely exposed to health risks related to unhealthy waste handling. The support of governments is urgently required to properly inform ordinary people about the correct ways of disposing of PPE and also train sanitation workers and waste pickers to reduce the hazardous possibilities. Additionally, financial support can also act as a suppressive agent to reduce the number of waste pickers.

Keywords

COVID-19
Personal protective equipment
Waste management
Waste pickers
Waste workers
  1. Gholipour S, Mohammadi F, Nikaeen M, et al. COVID-19 infection risk from exposure to aerosols of wastewater treatment plants. Chemosphere. 2021; 273:129701. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.129701. PMID: 33517118; PMCID: PMC7825974.
  2. Klemeš JJ, Van Fan Y, Tan RR, et al. Minimising the present and future plastic waste, energy and environmental footprints related to COVID-19. Renew Sustain Energy Rev..2020.109883. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2020.109883. PMID: 34234614. PMCID: PMC7183989.
  3. Zambrano-Monserrate MA, Ruano MA, Sanchez-Alcalde L. Indirect effects of COVID-19 on the environment. Sci. Total Environ.2020.138813. doi: 1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138813. PMID: 32964165; PMCID: PMC7498239.
  4. Gholipour S, Shamsizadeh Z, Moazeni M, et al. Environmental aspects of the coronaviruses transmission: A narrative review. J. Isfahan Med. Sch. 2020;38(570):206-2115. doi: 10.22122/jims.v38i570.12893.
  5. Gholipour S, Nikaeen M, Manesh RM, et al. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) contamination of high-touch surfaces in field settings. Biomed Environ Sci. 2020;33(12):925-9. doi: 10.3967/bes2020.126. PMID: 33472732; PMCID: PMC7817469.
  6. Burki T. Global shortage of personal protective equipment. Lancet Infect Dis. 2020;20(7):785-6. doi: 10.1016%2FS1473-3099(20)30501-6. PMID: 32592673; PMCID: PMC7314445 9.
  7. Leung CC, Lam TH, Cheng KK. Mass masking in the COVID-19 epidemic: people need guidance. Lancet. 2020;395(10228):945. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30520-1.PMID: 32142626; PMCID:PMC7133583.
  8. Livingston E, Desai A, Berkwits M. Sourcing personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jama. 2020;323(19):1912-4. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.5317. PMID: 32221579.
  9. Global Carbon Project, 2020 Accessed date: April 4 2020. https://www.globalcarbonproject.org.
  10. Le Quéré C, Jackson RB, Jones MW, et al. Temporary reduction in daily global CO 2 emissions during the COVID-19 forced confinement. Nat. Clim. Change. 2020:1-7. doi: 10.1038/s41558-020-0797-x.
  11. Berman JD, Ebisu K. Changes in US air pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sci. Total Environ.. 2020;739:139864. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139864. PMID: 32512381; PMCID: PMC 442629.
  12. Shakil MH, Munim ZH, Tasnia M, et al. COVID-19 and the environment: A critical review and research agenda. Sci. Total Environ. 2020:141022. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141022. PMID:  32711074 ; PMCID: PMC 7366970.
  13. Wang P, Chen K, Zhu S, et al. Severe air pollution events not avoided by reduced anthropogenic activities during COVID-19 outbreak. Resour, Conserv Recycl. 2020;158:104814. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104814. PMID:  32300261; PMCID: PMC 7151380.
  14. Dentener F, Emberson L, Galmarini S, et al. Lower air pollution during COVID-19 lock-down: improving models and methods estimating ozone impacts on crops. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2020;378(2183):20200188. doi: 10.1098/rsta.2020.0188. PMID: 32981442.
  15. Li L, Li Q, Huang L, et al. Air quality changes during the COVID-19 lockdown over the Yangtze River Delta Region: An insight into the impact of human activity pattern changes on air pollution variation. Sci. Total Environ. 2020:139282. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139282. PMID: 32413621; PMCID: PMC 7211667.
  16. Mahato S, Pal S, Ghosh KG. Effect of lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic on air quality of the megacity Delhi, India. Sci. Total Environ. 2020:139086. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.200035. PMID: 32375105; PMCID: PMC7189867.
  17. Silva ALP, Prata JC, Walker TR, et al. Increased plastic pollution due to COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and recommendations. Chem Eng J. 2020:126683. doi:10.1016/j.cej.2020.126683. PMID: 32834764; PMCID: PMC7430241.
  18. Silva ALP, Prata JC, Walker TR, et al. Rethinking and optimising plastic waste management under COVID-19 pandemic: Policy solutions based on redesign and reduction of single-use plastics and personal protective equipment. Sci. Total Environ.t. 2020;742:140565. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140565. PMID:32622168; PMCID: PMC 7324921.
  19. Wang M, Zhou M, Ji G, et al. Mask crisis during the COVID-19 outbreak. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020;24(6):3397-9. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202003_20707. PMID: 32271457.
  20. Di Maria F, Beccaloni E, Bonadonna L, et al. Minimization of spreading of SARS-CoV-2 via household waste produced by subjects affected by COVID-19 or in quarantine. Sci. Total Environ.2020;743:140803. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140803. PMID:32653701; PMCID: PMC 7340013.
  21. Nzediegwu C, Chang SX. Improper solid waste management increases potential for COVID-19 spread in developing countries. Resour, Conserv 2020;161:104947. doi: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104947. PMID: 32412552.; PMCID: PMC 7221374.
  22. Laborde D, Martin W, Vos R. Poverty and food insecurity could grow dramatically as COVID-19 spreads. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC. 2020.
  23. Gutberlet J, Uddin SMN. Household waste and health risks affecting waste pickers and the environment in low-and middle-income countries. Int j occup environ health. 2017;23(4):299-310. doi: 1080/10773525.2018.1484996. PMID: 29924702; PMCID: PMC 6147112.
  24. Yousefi M, Oskoei V, Jafari AJ, et al. Municipal solid waste management during COVID-19 pandemic: effects and repercussions. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2021;28:32200-9. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-14214-9. PMID: 3394226; PMCID: PMC 8092713.
  25. Sangkham S. Face mask and medical waste disposal during the novel COVID-19 pandemic in Asia. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. 2020;2:100052. doi: 10.1016/j.cscee.2020.100052.
  26. Nzediegwu C, Chang SX. Improper solid waste management increases potential for COVID-19 spread in developing countries. Resour, Conserv 2020;161:104947. doi:10.1016/resconrec.2020.104947. PMID: 32412552; PMCID: PMC 7221374.
  27. Singh N, Tang Y, Zhang Z, et al. COVID-19 waste management: effective and successful measures in Wuhan, China. Resour, Conserv 2020;163:105071. doi: 10.1016/resconrec.2020.105071. PMID: 32834489; PMCID: PMC 7383137.
  28. Zand AD, Heir AV. Emerging challenges in urban waste management in Tehran, Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic. Resour, Conserv 2020;162:105051. doi:10.1016/resconrec.2020.105051. PMID: 32834485; PMCID: PMC 7359795.
  29. Sarkodie SA, Owusu PA. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on waste management. Environ dev sustain. 2021;23(5):7951-60. doi: 10.1007/s10668-020-00956-y. PMID:32863738; PMCID: PMC 7447614.
  30. You S, Sonne C, Ok YS. COVID-19's unsustainable waste management. Science. 2020;368(6498):1438. doi: 10.1126/science.abc7778. PMID: 32587012.
  31. Filimonau V. The prospects of waste management in the hospitality sector post COVID-19. Resour, Conserv 2021;168:105272. PMID: 36568327; PMCID: PMC 9758653.
  32. Das AK, Islam N, Billah M, et al. COVID-19 pandemic and healthcare solid waste management strategy–A mini-review. Sci Total 2021:146220. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146220. PMID: 33711590; PMCID: PMC 7932852.
  33. Hasan NA, Heal RD, Bashar A, et al. Face Masks-Protecting the Wearer but Neglecting the Aquatic Environment? A Perspective from Bangladesh. A Perspective from Bangladesh (September 28, 2020) Hasan, NA, Heal, RD, Bashar, A, Haque, MM. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.envc.2021.100126.
  34. Selvaranjan K, Navaratnam S, Rajeev P, et al. Environmental challenges induced by extensive use of face masks during COVID-19: a review and potential solutions. Environmental Challenges. 2021:100039. doi:10.1016/j.envc.2021.100039.
  35. Hantoko D, Li X, Pariatamby A, et al. Challenges and practices on waste management and disposal during COVID-19 pandemic. Environ Manage. 2021;286:112140. 1016/j.jenvman.2021.112140. PMID:33652254; PMCID: PMC 7869705.
  36. Tripathi A, Tyagi VK, Vivekanand V, et al. Challenges, opportunities and progress in solid waste management during COVID-19 pandemic. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering. 2020;2:100060. doi: 10.1016/j.cscee.2020.100060.
  37. Ranjan MR, Tripathi A, Sharma G. Medical waste generation during COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and its management: an Indian perspective. Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology. 2020:10-5.doi:10.9734/ajee/2020/v13i130171.
  38. Mol MPG, Caldas S. Can the human coronavirus epidemic also spread through solid waste? Waste Manag 2020;38(5):485-6. doi:10.1177/0734242X20918312. PMID:32303151.
  39. Fadare OO, Okoffo ED. Covid-19 face masks: a potential source of microplastic fibers in the environment. Sci Total Environ. 2020;737:140279. doi:10.1016/scitotenv.2020.140279.
  40. Kulkarni BN, Anantharama V. Repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on municipal solid waste management: Challenges and opportunities. Science of The Total Environment. 2020;743:140693. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140693. PMID:32563114; PMCID: PMC 7297173.
  41. Prata JC, Silva AL, Walker TR, et al. COVID-19 pandemic repercussions on the use and management of plastics. Environ Sci 2020;54(13):7760-5. doi:10.1021/acs.est.0c02178. PMID:32531154.
  42. Macaulay BM, Odiase FM. Medical waste management practices in developing countries: a case study of health facilities in Akure, Nigeria. International Journal of Environment and Waste Management. 2016;17(2):103-27. doi:10.1504/IJEWM.2016.076756.
  43. Rana R, Ganguly R, Gupta AK. An assessment of solid waste management system in Chandigarh City, India. 2015.
  44. Van Doremalen N, Bushmaker T, Morris DH, et al. Aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(16):1564- doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2004973. PMID: 32182409; PMCID: PMC 7121658.
  45. Ragazzi M, Rada EC, Schiavon M. Municipal solid waste management during the SARS-COV-2 outbreak and lockdown ease: Lessons from Italy. Sci Total Environ. 2020;745:141159. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141159 . PMID: 32717596; PMCID: PMC 7374137.
  46. Austria waste management during COVID-19. 2020. https://www.iswa.org/
  47. Baldwin R, Weder di Mauro B. Economics in the Time of COVID-19. CEPR Press; 2020 Mar 6:2-3.
  48. Ajith N, Arumugam S, Parthasarathy S, et al. Global distribution of microplastics and its impact on marine environment—a review. Environ Sci Pollut Resea Int . 2020; 27(21):25970-86. doi:10.1007/s11356-020-09015-5. PMID: 32382901.
  49. Sharma HB, Vanapalli KR, Cheela VS, et al. Challenges, opportunities, and innovations for effective solid waste management during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Resour conser recycl. 2020;162:105052. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105052. PMID: 32834486; PMCID: PMC 7362850.
  50. Kampf G, Todt D, Pfaender S, et al. Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal of Hospital Infection. 2020;104(3):246-51. doi: 1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022.
  51. Solid waste management Retrieved from World Bank, World Development Indicators (2019); 2019.
  52. Toomey E, Conway Y, Burton C, et al. Extended use or re-use of single-use surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators: A rapid evidence review. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020; 42(1):75-83. doi:10.1017/ice.2020.1243. PMID:3302844; PMCID: PMC 7588721.
  53. Urban RC, Nakada LYK. COVID-19 pandemic: Solid waste and environmental impacts in Brazil. Sci Total Environ. 2021;755:142471. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142471. PMID: 3301049; PMCID: PMC 7526525.
  54. Yu H, Sun X, Solvang WD, et al. Reverse logistics network design for effective management of medical waste in epidemic outbreaks: Insights from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan (China). Int Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(5):1770. doi:10.3390/ijerph17051770. PMID:32182811; PMCID: PMC 7084373.
  55. Rahman MM, Bodrud-Doza M, Griffiths MD, et al. Biomedical waste amid COVID-19: perspectives from Bangladesh. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 ;8(10):e1262. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30349-1. PMID: 32798448; PMCID: PMC 7426104.
  56. Chen C, Chen J, Fang R, et al. What medical waste management system may cope With COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons from Wuhan. Resour Conserv 2021;170:105600. doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105600. PMID:33821099; PMCID: PMC 8011665.
  57. Agamuthu P, Barasarathi J. Clinical waste management under COVID-19 scenario in Malaysia. Waste Manag Res. 2021;39(1_suppl):18-26. doi:10.1177/0734242X20959701. PMID: 32972321.
  58. Anand U, Li X, Sunita K, et al. SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens in municipal wastewater, landfill leachate, and solid waste: A review about virus surveillance, infectivity, and inactivation. Environ Res. 2022; 203:111839. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111839. PMID: 34358502; PMCID: PMC 8332740.
  59. Kitajima M, Ahmed W, Bibby K, et al. SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater: State of the knowledge and research needs. Sci Total Environ . 2020;739:139076. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139076. PMID:32758929; PMC 7191289.
  60. of the International CSG. The species Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus: classifying 2019-nCoV and naming it SARS-CoV-2. Nat Microbiol. 2020;5(4):536. doi: 10.1038/s41564-020-0695-z. PMID:32123347; PMCID: PMC 7095448.
  61. Aragaw TA. Surgical face masks as a potential source for microplastic pollution in the COVID-19 scenario. Mar Pollut Bull. 2020;159:111517. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111517. PMID:32763564; PMCID: PMC 7381927.
  62. Abbasi SA, Khalil AB, Arslan M. Extensive use of face masks during COVID-19 pandemic:(micro-) plastic pollution and potential health concerns in the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi J Biol Sci . 2020;27(12):3181-6. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.09.054. PMID: 33052188; PMCID: PMC 7543712.
  63. Chowdhury H, Chowdhury T, Sait SM. Estimating marine plastic pollution from COVID-19 face masks in coastal regions. Mar Pollut Bull. 2021;168:112419. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112419. PMID: 33930644; PMCID: PMC 8064874.

 

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Guide for Reviewers

Contact Us

Forms