Adverse health effects among household waste collectors in Taiwan

Household waste collectors (HWCs) are potentially exposed to a variety of b ioaerosols and toxic materials. Collection of household waste is also a job which requires repeated heavy physical activity such as lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing. The object of this study was to assess whether there is an excess of adverse health outcomes among HWCs. The subjects were all current employees of the Household Waste Collection Department in the Count y of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The survey questionnaire was completed by 533 HWCs and 320 office workers. Our data indicate that household waste collection p resents a risk for the development of chronic respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing, and chronic bronchitis), musculoskeletal symptoms (low ba ck pain and elbow/wrist pain), and injuries caused by sharp objects. (C) 20 01 Academic Press.