Risks for Garbage Collectors and People Living Near Khon Kaen Municipality Landfill Sites

Abstract

This study was a cross-sectional descriptive research aiming to study the risks for garbage collec-tors and people living near Khon Kaen municipality landfill sites. The samples of the study were (1) 208 garbage collectors, and (2) 585 people living near Khon Kaen municipality landfill sites. Systematic random sampling was used in the study. Data were collected during December 2015 and May 2016 using a set of questionnaire. Percentage, mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. It was found that the garbage collectors were at risk of certain health problems which included injuries (9.1% of the samples), animal bites such as dogs and snakes (4.8%), and muscle aches after work requiring medical attention (3.8%). People living near the municipality landfill sites reported the increase in insects and other zoonotic animals (96.7%) and incidents of fire at the landfill sites (96.2%); and 95.3% of them were anxious about the risk of environmental health impact. Based on the analysis, the highest proportion of samples (55.0%) were at high risk of environmental impact (increased insects, fire incidents, deterio-ration of vegetables and fruits, etc.) and low risk of health impact (various symptomatic conditions). The authors recommended that garbage collectors who had severe symptoms should have regular health check at local health facilities or be referred to be investigated in a hospital in order to verify the risk from environmental hazard; and those who had higher risk of environemental impact should be supported by annual environmental assessment and improved garbage management as well as provision of health educa-tion and advices for disease prevention and self-protection.