Table 2.

Description of occupational exposures and hazards common on landfill sites, assessed using a health risk assessment process.

Exposures/Hazards	Observation	Landfill Site 1	Landfill Site 2
Airborne Dust	Waste reclaiming workers may be exposed to dust liberated from the soil, and waste material, by the dump truck and compactor. The dust may contain organic matter, which may cause skin or respiratory irritant or allergic reactions, or contain pathogens.	The majority of the waste reclaimers did not wear dust masks to protect themselves from dust inhalation while extracting recyclable materials.	A water truck is used for wetting the soil on the roadways where dump trucks are operating.Some reclaiming workers were using garments or scarves to cover their mouth and nose as protection against dust inhalation.
Hazardous Chemical Substances (HCS): Organic Dust, Pesticides or Organic Solvents	Waste reclaiming workers are exposed to various classes of chemical substances in general household waste.	No adequate control measure to the waste recyclers to protect against inhalation of toxic fumes. The majority of the waste reclaimers did not wear proper masks during work in the landfill site.	Waste recyclers were seen using garments or scarves to cover their mouth and nose as protection against dust inhalation.