1.3 Waste Management Strategies
15
supporting participation in resource recovery and waste reduction through communities, waste characterization studies and waste audits, school programs and training
[28, 34]. Admittedly, educational studies take time to penetrate people’s lives and
alter their behavior related to waste production and management, so that incentivebased programs such as considering a reward for participation could be beneficial
to achieve short-term success in people’s participation and perception toward waste
management plans [28].
1.4 Health and Environmental Impacts of Wastes
and Waste Management
Waste that is improperly managed, untreated, or inadequately disposed may result
in serious environmental and health problems. Waste management and minimizing
its impact on the environment (such as land, air and water), the plants, animals and
human health is a challenging task for many countries [2].
1.4.1 Impacts of Waste on Human Health
and the Environment
Organic waste: Organic waste can affect human health by the growth of microbial
pathogens and the production of GHG and contributing to climate change. The direct
handling of organic solid waste can result in various infectious and chronic diseases
in waste workers [35].
Hazardous waste: Exposure to hazardous waste can cause both acute and chronic
health problems such as chemical poisoning, cancer, respiratory conditions and heart
disease. Some of the chemical ingredients found in solvents, paints and varnishes
might result in dizziness, headache and stomach discomfort. Chemicals such as
xylene may cause unconsciousness and death at high levels of exposure [35, 36].
Agricultural/industrial waste: Waste from agriculture and industries can have
chemical and radioactive hazards. Pesticides and fertilizers, contaminated water, soil
erosion and sedimentation, livestock waste, pests and weeds are the main sources of
pollution and can contaminate the water body or groundwater source. The contaminants can impair vital body organs and the immune system, destroy the nervous
system and spread the parasites and bacteria through drinking water contributing to
disease and fatality [35].
Hospital and medical waste: Hospital and medical waste can cause severe illness
and even death. AIDS, cholera, typhoid, Hepatitis B and SARS are some of the serious
illnesses that can be caused by improperly managed hospital waste. Other types of
infectious disease include skin disease/allergy, diarrhea, dysentery, tuberculosis and
malaria [35].
15
supporting participation in resource recovery and waste reduction through communities, waste characterization studies and waste audits, school programs and training
[28, 34]. Admittedly, educational studies take time to penetrate people’s lives and
alter their behavior related to waste production and management, so that incentivebased programs such as considering a reward for participation could be beneficial
to achieve short-term success in people’s participation and perception toward waste
management plans [28].
1.4 Health and Environmental Impacts of Wastes
and Waste Management
Waste that is improperly managed, untreated, or inadequately disposed may result
in serious environmental and health problems. Waste management and minimizing
its impact on the environment (such as land, air and water), the plants, animals and
human health is a challenging task for many countries [2].
1.4.1 Impacts of Waste on Human Health
and the Environment
Organic waste: Organic waste can affect human health by the growth of microbial
pathogens and the production of GHG and contributing to climate change. The direct
handling of organic solid waste can result in various infectious and chronic diseases
in waste workers [35].
Hazardous waste: Exposure to hazardous waste can cause both acute and chronic
health problems such as chemical poisoning, cancer, respiratory conditions and heart
disease. Some of the chemical ingredients found in solvents, paints and varnishes
might result in dizziness, headache and stomach discomfort. Chemicals such as
xylene may cause unconsciousness and death at high levels of exposure [35, 36].
Agricultural/industrial waste: Waste from agriculture and industries can have
chemical and radioactive hazards. Pesticides and fertilizers, contaminated water, soil
erosion and sedimentation, livestock waste, pests and weeds are the main sources of
pollution and can contaminate the water body or groundwater source. The contaminants can impair vital body organs and the immune system, destroy the nervous
system and spread the parasites and bacteria through drinking water contributing to
disease and fatality [35].
Hospital and medical waste: Hospital and medical waste can cause severe illness
and even death. AIDS, cholera, typhoid, Hepatitis B and SARS are some of the serious
illnesses that can be caused by improperly managed hospital waste. Other types of
infectious disease include skin disease/allergy, diarrhea, dysentery, tuberculosis and
malaria [35].