Health and Safety Assessment of Waste-Pickers at the Kpone Landfill Site

Abstract

Ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured mea sured from seven (7) locations at the Kpone landfill site in the Kpone Municipality of Greater Accra Region. Average 24-hour concentrations ranged 47 µg/m3 – 185 µg/m3 and 52µg/m3 – 164 µg/m3 were recorded for NO2 and SO2 respectively. All the measured concentrations were above the WHO guideline limits. Eight (8) heavy metals (Pb, Hg, V, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Cd) were detected and quantified in the soil and dust sampled from ten (10) locations within the study area using x-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF). Cu, Zn and Pb recorded the highest concentrations that were all above their respective New Dutch List permissible limits. The concentrations, at some sampling locations, were as high as: Cu (334 mg/kg), Zn (36585 mg/kg) and Pb (4808 mg/kg) which recorded high contami nation factors as well. Contamination factors computed using elemental concentrations, as well as the degree of contamination computed for each sampling location revealed locations 4, 5, 6 and 7 as highly contaminated. Health hazard index for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk with respect to three exposure pathways (dermal, in gestion and inhalation) projected locations 4, 5, 6 and 7 as locations with high health risks for waste pickers who ply their trade around these areas. Waste pickers’awareness of health and safety risks was assessed as well. All of them seem to be aware of the physical hazard while 23% are aware of the health risks associated with their working conditions.