Biomonitoring of Serum Markers as a Measurement of Occupational Exposure in Personnel at Landfill Site

Improper handling and management of municipal solid wastes can produce adverse health effects on waste pickers through biological, chemical, physical, mechanical or psychological means. They are vulnerable to various occupational health hazards such as respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, skin diseases, eye infections and musculoskeletal disorders. Hence, we aimed to conduct biomonitoring and health risk assessment on women rag pickers. This study included 250 women waste pickers: 160 exposed working on the Pirana dumping site and 90 control subjects from around the residential areas of Ahmedabad city of Gujarat (India). C-reactive protein, Alkaline phosphatase, Alanine transaminase and Aspartate transaminase were significantly high in serum samples of exposed subjects suggesting gallbladder inflammation, acute hepatitis A and B or oxidative stress. After comparing the lipid profile of exposed and control subjects, we found a significant decrease in cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride frequency which is a sign of malnutrition or hyperthyroidism. Random blood sugar, globulin and total serum protein were reduced significantly. In contrast, a significant increase was found in albumin, phosphorus, creatinine, urea and uric acid levels of exposed individuals, which indicates potential disorders of the liver and kidney. Direct exposure to solid waste, agrochemicals, heavy metals, toxic industrial and hospital waste, and toxic air having high concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and bioaerosols, unhealthy eating and sanitary habits, and negligence towards health were major contributing factors to ill effects on their liver and kidney. We suggest effective education, and communication programs for preventive and protective measures to address problems of rag pickers. The present study emphasizes the need for regular monitoring of contamination among the rag-picking population and areas around the Pirana landfill site for better information on exposure to rag pickers.