157
Studies by Ray et al. (2004) revealed that respiratory symptoms as well as lung
function reduction were 94% and 52%, respectively, among the rag-pickers as
compared to 56% and 34% among the controls. The rag-pickers showed a greater
prevalence of frequent diarrhea, low hemoglobin and monocyte counts, high circulating eosinophil, unhealthy gums, as well as dermatitis, when compared to controls.
Similar studies on rag-pickers revealed that they suffer from mental and physical
illnesses. Usual health concerns associated with rag-pickers are: rat bite, dog bite,
redness of eyes, backache, accidental injuries, and headache. Many of them suffer
Case: Naples, Italy, 1994–2014
Improper solid waste management in Naples metropolitan area resulted in
piling up of wastes in the streets leading to breeding grounds for vector-borne
diseases.
Case: Mysore, India
Improper and illegal disposal of hazardous wastes covered by soil led to
the death of a boy in Mysore during playing (Star of Mysore 2017).
Fig. 4.29 Cathode ray
tube of television disposed
on road
4.6 Solid Waste