Dermatological Morbidities and sharp injuries among Workers at Medical Waste Incinerators

Elbakry, Esraa Abdelsalam; Soliman, Naema El-Laithy; ElRafey, Dina Sameh; Khorshed, Enjy Ahmad Esmat

doi:10.21608/zumj.2024.328886.3646

Dermatological Morbidities and sharp injuries among Workers at Medical Waste Incinerators

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Demonstrator of Public health and community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig university

² Professor of Public health and community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig university

³ Assistant Professor of Public health and community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig university

10.21608/zumj.2024.328886.3646

Abstract

Background: Metal exposure during medical waste collection, handling, and burning poses a skin danger to individuals working in the waste incineration industry. Medical waste incineration ash contains about 30 distinct metals, the majority of which are toxic to humans. This study attempts for improving the health of workers at medical waste incinerators through identifying some occupational morbidities among workers at medical waste incinerators.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at medical waste incinerators at Sharkia governorate. The target population composed of exposed group (n=56), including workers at medical waste incinerators who are involved in all steps of handling, management and processing of medical waste and non-exposed group (n=56), including administrative employees working at Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University. Pre-constructed questionnaire was filled by all participants for their occupational history and dermatological presentations.

Results: A statistically significant increase in frequency of burn (OR=5.34), urticaria (OR=7), exposure to sharp injuries (OR=85), pruritis and fatigue among exposed compared to non-exposed group. Also, a statistically significant increase in dermatological morbidities were found among workers who had previous job & not wearing protective personal equipment (PPE) compared to workers without (p=0.01).

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the results of the study that incinerator workers at Sharkia governorate are at risk for dermatological disorders and sharp injuries who pose them to risk of Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infection.

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