Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Garbage”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Exposure of garbage truck drivers and maintenance personnel at a waste handling centre to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons derived from diesel exhaust.

Exposure to diesel exhaust was evaluated in summer and winter by measuring vapour and particle phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Fifteen PAHs were simultaneously determined from the air samples obtained from truck drivers collecting household waste and maintenance personnel at a waste handling centre. The major compounds analysed from the personal air samples of exposed workers were naphthalene, phenanthrene and fluorene. The total PAH exposure (sum of 15 PAHs) of garbage truck drivers ranged from 71 to 2,660 ng m(-3) and from 68 to 900 ng m-3 in the maintenance work. The exposure of garbage truck drivers to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) ranged from the mean of 0.03 to 0.3 ng m(-3) whereas no B[a]P in control samples or in those collected from maintenance workers was detected. A statistically significant difference in diesel-derived PAH exposure between the garbage truck drivers and the control group in both seasons (in summer p = 0.0022, degrees of freedom (df) 70.5; and in winter p < 0.0001, df = 80.4) was observed. Also, a significant difference in PAH exposure between the garbage truck drivers and the maintenance workers (in summer p < 0.0001, df = 50.1; and in winter p < 0.0001, df = 44.2) was obtained.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[What is garbage, anyway? The opinions of women from an outlying neighborhood in a large Brazilian city].

Domestic solid waste is cause for current environmental concern in large cities around the world. Little is known about the human health consequences of solid waste disposal in open-air dumps. In addition, there are few studies on people's health practices in relation to solid waste. As the initial step in epidemiological research on the relationship between solid waste and diarrhea, this study describes women's perception of the definition of garbage and the popular understanding of the relationships between garbage and disease, and between garbage and the environment. The study used a qualitative approach in a slum neighborhood in Salvador, Bahia. A total of 13 women were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire in 1999. The FileMaker "diaricamp" application was used for data analysis. Interviewees defined garbage as anything useless and considered it a problem whenever it accumulated in the surroundings producing a bad smell or visual pollution, attracted animals, caused disease in children or adults, or was shifted from the individual to the collective/institutional sphere of action to solve the problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of sludge management parameters resulting from the use of domestic garbage disposers.

The use of domestic garbage disposers may reduce the amounts and improve the solid waste composition, by lowering putrid matter and water content and by raising the caloric potential. However, additional loading on the sewerage systems might require increased investments and operation costs of the wastewater treatment facilities. This project analyses additional amounts of solids, biosolids and process requirements connected with wastewater treatment facilities resulting from the domestic use of garbage disposers, as well as the additional production of biogas. It was found that the use of the domestic garbage disposers in 60% of the households in a given urban area, is expected to reduce the weight, volume and water content of the solid waste by 7.0%, 3.3% and 4.4% for garbage characterized by low organic content, and by 18.7%, 11.0% and 13.3% for high organic content, respectively. The additional amounts of sludge are expected to be the lowest in case of biological treatment only, 24 to 38 g/capita/day, and the highest in case of primary chemical sedimentation followed by biotreatment, 67 to 100 g/capita/day. In these conditions the energy potential from biogas obtained in anaerobic digestion of sludge from wastewater collected from the same area, will increase by 50% to 70%, depending on the wastewater treatment sequence. The investment in wastewater treatment is estimated to increase by 23% to 27% and the annual costs for operation and maintenance are expected to increase by 26% to 30%.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The evaluation of the physiological workload in the Brazilian legislation should be revised! The case of garbage collectors in Rio de Janeiro].

The physiological workload (PW) involved in garbage collection was assessed in a probabilistic sample of 70 Rio de Janeiro city garbage collectors to determine the adequacy of Brazilian labor legislation regarding classification of work. PW was measured as energy expenditure (EE) and heart rate (HR) during total work time (TT) and actual time (AT) in garbage collection on 4 consecutive days. Median EE values were 288.4 and 319.1 kcal.h-1 during TT and AT, respectively, indicating moderately intense work according to Brazilian legislation. However, PW was considered heavy when work classifications based on individual response to work were used: 1) ratio of EE and resting metabolic rate was above 5.0, indicating heavy workload according to the WHO; 2) mean percentage of maximal EE was higher (36.2 and 41.1% for TT and AT, respectively) than the limit for garbage collection (30%) suggested as maximal for Dutch workers; and 3) percentage of maximal HR reserve was also higher than 30% (32.2 and 37.5% for TT and AT, respectively). These results indicate the need for a revision of the workload classification in the Brazilian legislation to take individual workers' characteristics into account.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Genotoxicity of the extracts from the compost of the organic and the total municipal garbage using three plant bioassays.

The production of compost is one of the alternatives for the disposal of non-hazardous solid wastes. Compost is used in agriculture and gardening as fertilizer. In the State of Queretaro, Mexico, there is a project to produce compost from the municipal garbage which could be used as a fertilizer. The presence of mutagenic compounds in the compost could be a major disadvantage for the selection of this alternative. For the above reason, this study was initiated as a pilot project to determine the potential mutagenic activity in the compost using three plant bioassays: Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MCN), Tradescantia stamen hair mutations (Trad-SHM) and Allium root anaphase aberrations (AL-RAA). Compost was produced using both aerobic and anaerobic processes from either organic waste (from the residential area) or from the total components of the municipal garbage. Extractions from the compost were done using distilled water and organic solvents and shaking the sample for about 12 h under relatively low temperatures (15-20 degrees C). Plant cuttings of Tradescantia or the roots of Allium were treated by submerging them in the extracts. Three replicates of each sample were analyzed in each one of the three bioassays. As expected the samples of compost from the total garbage showed a higher genetoxicity than those from organic waste. In conclusion, there are some substances present in the compost capable of inducing genotoxicity in the plant assays and therefore there must be some restrictions for its use as a fertilizer.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1997

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels of garbage collectors with low-level exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Because garbage collectors work in the street, they are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in motor vehicle exhaust gas as they work. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-pyrene) began to be used as a biological monitoring index for human exposure to high concentrations of PAHs. The objective of this study was to examine the applicability of urinary 1-OH-pyrene as a biological monitoring index for human low-level PAH exposure, such as the PAH exposure experienced while working in the street. The subjects were fifteen male garbage collectors. We measured individual exposure to PAHs, urinary 1-OH-pyrene concentrations and urinary cotinine concentrations. Individual air samplers were attached to the collar of the clothing of five workers to capture PAHs. Urine samples were collected before work, around noon and after finishing the day's work. In all, five PAH samples and 45 urine samples were collected. As control data, we analyzed the urinary 1-OH-pyrene and urinary cotinine levels of six smoking and four non-smoking control subjects who were not occupationally exposed to PAHs. The benzo[a]pyrene level in the air sampled for 5-6 h was 2.5-10.5 ng/m3, and the pyrene level as 10.3-70.3 ng/m3. These levels were similar to those in the vicinity of streets in Japan. A positive correlation between total PAH levels and the pyrene levels was observed. The average urinary 1-OH-pyrene level of the smokers was 0.21 +/- 0.13 mumol/mol creatinine, vs. 0.15 +/- 0.11 mumol/mol creatinine in the non-smokers. The urinary 1-OH-pyrene level obtained in this study was slightly higher than in the control group. No correlation was found between pyrene exposure and the urinary 1-OH-pyrene level of the five workers who wore the personal samplers. A significant positive correlation was observed between the urinary 1-OH-pyrene level and urinary cotinine level of the smokers. A significant positive correlation was also observed between the urinary 1-OH-pyrene and urinary cotinine levels of the control group smokers. In conclusion, urinary 1-OH-pyrene is not applicable for biological monitoring of extremely low levels of exposure to PAHs, as in the case of working in the street. Caution is required to exclude the effects of smoking when evaluating PAH exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Nature and frequency of the existence of mold fungi in garbage cans for biological waste and the resultant airborne spore pollution].

In organic waste, numerous mold fungi and other microorganisms develop sometimes within a few hours only which decompose the organic material already in the collecting containers generating heat and odor. With regard to the emission of mold fungus spores out of garbage cans for bio-waste and the potential environmental-hygienic danger connected with it, considerable worries have been expressed recently. A wide spectrum of mold fungi can be found in bio-waste in strongly varying concentrations. No noticeable difference could be ascertained between the settlement structure areas and the cities respectively as to the fungus concentration in the bio-waste substrate. A. fumigatus and A. niger can be recommended as leading spores for the behavior of the total concentration of fungi in the bio-waste due to their frequency of detection and their seasonal dynamism. The intensity of the air spore pollution through emission of mold fungus spores correlates closely with the climatic conditions, such as variations of temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation. The airborne release of mold fungus spores out of garbage cans for bio-waste and the formation of a respective exposure connected with it is judged as harmless for healthy persons. Risk patients and persons having a weakened immune system or assumed to have such a one due to an existent basic illness and/or other reasons should avoid any handling of bio-waste as well as any other waste if possible.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Drinking water and garbage: customs and beliefs among schoolchildren of a marginal population].

A study of 80 children from 6th and 7th grades was conducted to determine their beliefs and behaviours about drinking-water and garbage management. The children come, in their totality, from a poor suburban population of the north of Buenos Aires. The survey showed that most of the children kept some drinking-water provision at home. Therefore, they had to collect, treat, and store the water. The pupils had correct knowledge about the process of contamination and some adequate behaviours concerning the hygiene of collection containers, but also showed inadequate conceptions about the protection of such containers and water treatment. The children reported inadequate behaviours and incorrect beliefs about the elimination of garbage. These results establish the need for teaching-learning experiences designed to reinforce correct knowledge and behaviours and modify the incorrect ones.

Argentina↗
PubMed1984

[The behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil fertilized with sewage sludge-garbage compost. I. Field studies].

Sewage sludge-garbage composts which are used as soil conditioners usually contain high concentrations of PAH. A risk for human health could arise if the use of such composts leads to high concentrations of PAH in the soil and these are taken up by plants for human consumption. We investigated the fate of PAH introduced into the soil with sewage sludge-garbage compost and the possible association with the microbial flora. Field investigations in wineyards during more than 18 months showed no reduction of PAH in the soil. There was no seasonal variation and no correlation between microbial data and PAH concentrations in the wineyards treated with compost or untreated. From these findings it must be concluded that under natural conditions PAH persist in the soil for a long time and are not taken up by plants to an appreciable extent.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1995

People on the garbage dumps of Cairo: a toxicological in vivo model?

In the outskirts of Cairo, some 40,000 people live on garbage dumps. These people form a closed population whose socio-economic problems are identical. The pollutants are evenly distributed. Up to 30% of the garbage on the polluted area, which cannot be recycled, is burned, resulting in a high concentration of pollutants in the environment. The concentrations of heavy metals, dioxins/furans, PCB, PAH in dust deposit and soil were measured as well as the air pollutants SO2, HCl and CO. It was shown that while the systemic immune system is only affected to a very small degree, secretory immunoglobulin A is strongly affected by the emissions. It could be demonstrated also an increased readiness for allergic respiratory disease, through the proof of hyperreactive mucous membranes. In the polluted area, 58% of the examined children were affected, whereas in the control area only 22% displayed a hyperreactive mucous membrane. Also the concentration of NANA (N-acetyl-N-neuraminic acid) in the serum, as a unspecific marker of cell irritation, was high in the serum of children from the polluted area. Most of the pollutants detected can also be observed in the industrialized regions, especially in combination with incinerating plants. In this way, this study suggests the synergistic effects of pollutants.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Death by compaction in a garbage truck.

We report on two deaths by compaction in a garbage truck that recently occurred in this county. In both cases, the victim apparently climbed into a recycling dumpster to sleep, and was emptied with the contents of the receptacle into a garbage truck. Subsequent compaction of the victim with the load led to death. We also discuss several similar fatalities that have been reported to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Acute intoxication of a hydrazine-like gas by 19 workers in a garbage dump.

Nineteen workers (18 males, 1 female) of a garbage dump (mean age 39.9 years, range 19-58 years) were admitted to our hospital because of inhalation of a hydrazine-like gas of unknown origin. They complained of an ammoniacal odor with sweet taste followed by burning of the eyes, rawness in the throat and dyspnea, dizziness and nausea. Ten patients (group A) arrived about 2 h after they had experienced their first symptoms. The nine other patients (group B) were admitted about 70 h later. On the second day the white cell counts were significantly elevated compared to those of the days before and after (P < 0.02-0.005). The lung function showed in two patients a moderate obstruction. The PO2 was significantly reduced within 1 to 12 h after admission (P < 0.02-0.005) compared to the measurement before (P < 0.005) and after 25 (P < 0.02) and 50 (P < 0.01) h. A significantly reduced PCO2 was found after 25 h compared to the time of admission (P < 0.03). These investigations show that workers of a garbage dump had an alarming decrease of oxygen after inhalation of nitrogenous gases released by the trash.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Examination of soils from residential garbage in Betul, India, for fungi by the keratin baiting technique.

A report on an examination of soils from residential garbage of Betul, India, for fungi by the keratin (materials) baiting technique is presented. A total of 69 fungi representing 39 species among 17 genera were isolated. In all the soil samples, only two genera, namely Aspergillus (190.9%), followed by Fusarium (118.18%), were most frequently isolated. Maximum colonisation of fungi was found on hair, followed by horn, feathers and nails. For the first time, the genus Fusoma is reported here as a keratinophilic fungus. The keratin baiting technique was found very effective in detecting a broad spectrum of fungi in biological wastes and compost.

Aspergillus↗
PubMed2000

A forward-facilitating influence of cortisol on catecholamines assessed during the work of garbage collectors.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the hypothesis was tested of whether part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system can have a facilitating influence on mean adrenomedullary reactivity during a workday. METHODS: Data of a field study on 115 male garbage collectors were used for this purpose. Catecholamines and cortisol were assessed by urinary sampling during a workday and during a day off. The within-subjects baseline levels of the catecholamines, personal factors, physical work load, and work characteristics were controlled for in the analyses. RESULTS: The results showed that there is reason to assume a "forward-facilitating influence" between the aforementioned systems. The morning cortisol excretion rate explained a reasonable amount of the mean catecholamine excretion rates during a workday. The morning cortisol level explained more variance in the adrenaline than in the noradrenaline values, and for both catecholamines the influence of cortisol was more pronounced than the influence of psychosocial stress factors like autonomy and job demands. CONCLUSIONS: The morning level of cortisol proved to be a more powerful predictor of the reactivity of adrenaline than that of noradrenaline during work. The association between the pituitary adrenocortical system and the adrenomedullary system could therefore be a "forward-facilitating influence". It is recommended that future research should focus on cortisol as the predictor of neuroendocrine reactivity and on determining whether this predictive power is expandable to work-induced health complaints.

Adrenal Medulla↗
PubMed1984

[The behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil fertilized with sewage sludge-garbage compost. II. Laboratory studies].

The possible destruction in the soil of PAH present in sewage sludge-garbage composts in considerable amounts has been studied under various conditions. Sandy and loamy soil were mixed with the compost and kept in a climate chamber at 20 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 28 degrees C with 30% and 80% relative moisture. One part of the samples was illuminated the other kept in the dark. Control samples with and without compost were sterilized. PAH determinations, bacterial counts on Moutonagar and counts of the actinomycetes were carried out in regular intervals. No influence of temperature, moisture or light could be demonstrated under the experimental conditions. No difference in the behaviour of PAH concentrations in sterilized and nonsterilized soil samples during the periods of experiment, no increase or decrease of PAH were found. There was no correlation between bacterial counts and PAH concentrations. The laboratory experiments confirmed the results of the field investigations.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed1995

Autopsy cases among patients with mental disorders: an unusual case of asphyxia caused by the iron roller of a garbage truck.

A case of asphyxia of a young man suffering from "Identity Disorder" as delineated by the DSM-III-R (American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders revised in 1987) is reported. The patient jumped into the drum of a garbage truck and the iron roller in the drum asphyxiated him by compression. In addition to the presentation of this rare category of the DSM-III-R disorders as an autopsy case and an unusual means of asphyxia, we briefly reviewed other autopsy cases of the patients with mental disorders who died in Japan between 1988 and 1992.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1995

[Air microbial burden at garbage sorting facilities].

At two german garbage sorting facilities, germ concentrations in the air were analyzed at different working environments (waste reception, manual sorting). At plant A, maximum concentrations of total bacteria (14700 CFU/m3), gram-negative bacteria (7279 CFU/m3) and moulds (> 84806 CFU/m3) occurred in the air at the final manual sorting belts. Referring to concentrations of total bacteria and moulds, concentrations in the air at the final sorting belts were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than at the other working environments. At plant B, the counts of total bacteria reached 7173 CFU/m3 in the air at the waste reception site and 5512 CFU/m3 at the manual sorting belt. Maximum concentrations for gram-negative bacteria were 247 resp. 206 CFU/m3 and 70919 resp. 60848 CFU/m3 for moulds. At the waste reception site, the aerial concentrations of total bacteria lay highly significantly (p < 0.001) and of moulds significantly (p < 0.05) above aerial concentrations at the manual sorting belt. As causes, an intensive mechanical pretreatment of recycle material at plant A and whirling up of sedimentary dust of the floor during manual sweeping of the material on to the transportation at plant B are discussed.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1997

[The labor process and work-related accidents among garbage collectors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]

This study describes the work performed by garbage collectors in the Rio de Janeiro City Street Cleaning Company (COMLURB) (Rio Comprido division) and its consequences for their health. Data were collected through interviews and on-site video documentation. A detailed description of the work process was performed. In addition, we analyzed the workers' reports of their lifetime experience with job-related risks and accidents.

Journal Article↗