Table 2.

Risk factor perception of organized waste pickers.

	Health risk factors
Direct health risks associated to collection and separation of household waste	Biologic and chemical contamination of dirty and contaminated household waste: risk of biologic contamination
	Dirty and contaminated packaging and items: risk of biologic contamination
	Sharp materials from packaging and discarded household items, such as broken glass, wood, or metal: risk of cuts and perforation
	Contaminated plastics (soft/hard), e.g. PET, PP, and PAD containers sometimes containing urine, detergents, chlorine, food rests, etc.: risks of infection, allergies, respiratory diseases
	Separating e-waste facilitating the contact with toxic substances: allergies, respiratory diseases, and cumulative effects from heavy metal contamination
Indirect health risks associated to household waste	Presence of rats, cockroaches, and pigeons: risks of transmission of disease such as Leptospirosis, lack of ventilation in recycling centres causing disease vectors proliferation causing respiratory and pulmonary diseases
	Littering and discarded household waste (particularly plastics and containers with hazardous contents) affecting animals and environmental health