Question

Name a few occupational hazards associated with the handling of accumulated waste.

Answer 1

• Population at risk:
  
• Doctors, nurses, patients, people who dispose wastes, industrial workers, miners etc. supporting workers etc.
  

• Types of occupational hazards:
  
• Physical hazards: Hazards caused due to heat and cold, light and noise is included in this category.
  
• Chemical hazards: Inhalation of hazardous gases resulting in respiratory problems. Sometimes harmful metals are also inhaled in the form of fumes like antimony, mercury, cobalt, cadmium etc. radioactive chemicals cause long term effects leading to death sometimes.
  
• Biological hazards: Persons working among animals with hair, wool, and hides may be exposed to infective pathogens at the place of work. Occupational diseases includes brucellosis, leptospirosis, anthrax, psittacosis, tetanus, fungal infections etc.
  
• Some of the disease like pneumoconiosis or black lung disease is common among coal miners.