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Waste and Health: Skin Disease Suffered by Waste Pickers in Several Landfills in Indonesia

When talking about waste, we also need to address the social dimension of our waste management system, which is none other than the well-being of waste operators and waste pickers who struggle in managing our waste on a daily basis.

This is the reality for most of the waste pickers in Indonesia: they often work long hours sorting through mountains of waste in landfills without any proper protective equipment/gear. Even without the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia’s waste pickers deal with such risks in order to make a living. 

Moreover, this issue becomes an even more urgent problem when we take into account the poor conditions of Indonesia’s landfill

A glimpse of the condition of Bantar Gebang landfill. Photo credit: Ronyluke/Waste4Change

One example that can be used to illustrate the susceptibility of waste pickers towards harmful disease is the prevalence of skin disease among the waste pickers in several landfills in Indonesia 

1. Cases of Skin Disease in TPST Sumur Batu, Bekasi City

Based on research conducted by Srisantyorini and Chayaningsih (2019), there are 42 out of 75 respondents who suffered from skin disease, with most respondents stating that they suffer from itchiness. These respondents were waste pickers who work at the Sumur Batu landfill in Bekasi.

Furthermore, the cases of skin disease have a significant correlation with several variables such as age, working hours (the longer they work, the more exposed they are), years of working, skin cleanliness, hair hygiene, oral hygiene, nail hygiene, clothes hygiene, and the availability of a clean water supply.

Waste pickers sorting through waste at the Bantar Gebang landfill. Photo credit Ronyluke/Waste4Change

Based on 2017 data from the public health center of Bantar Gebang district, skin disease itself is noted as one of the top five out of 10 diseases that were recorded at the public health center, with 2.537 new cases in February 2018.

2. Skin Disease among Waste Pickers in Wukirsari Landfill, Yogyakarta

A 2017 research article by Novianingrum and Mulasari revealed that there was a significant relationship between personal hygiene and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the incidence of skin disease among the waste pickers who work at the Wukirsari Gunungkidul landfill.

In terms of personal hygiene, among 19 scavengers with poor personal hygiene, 14 of them had a history of skin disease, while from 13 scavengers with good personal hygiene, only 3 of them have had a history of skin disease (Novianingrum & Mulasari, 2017).

Moreover, an analysis of the relationship between the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and incidence of skin disease conveyed that 12 out of 14 scavengers who used incomplete or partial PPE suffer from skin disease. In contrast, out of 18 waste pickers who wore complete PPE, only 5 of them suffer from skin disease.

What can be said from these statistics is that, waste pickers who used incomplete PPE and have bad personal hygiene have a 3,1 higher risk of contracting skin disease.

3.The Occurrence of Skin Disorders among Women Waste Pickers in Terjun Landfill, Medan

Based on data from Terjun public health center (Puskesmas), skin disease/disorder is the 9th out of 10 top diseases that were recorded in 2016.

The research that is conducted by Ferusgel, Nasution and Butar-butar back in 2018 focuses on women waste pickers in Terjun landfill because women scavengers play 2 roles altogether, which is to take care of their family and also help their husbands to make a living.

The double roles that these women carry cause them to be more vulnerable in experiencing fatigue, which may cause their immune system to be weak and thus susceptible to various diseases and vectors that were present at the landfill, namely respiratory disorders and skin disease.

A woman carrying a large sack of waste in Terjun landfill, Medan. Photo credit: Tribun Medan/Dedy Sinuhaji 

The results revealed that there is a significant correlation between personal hygiene, the use of PPE, and skin disorders among women waste pickers at Terjun landfill.

As many as 44 people out of 53 samples express complaints about skin disorders, mainly rash, itching, and a burning sensation. These results then indicate the need and importance to improve the waste pickers’ livelihood and working conditions, one of which is by educating them on the importance of personal hygiene, occupational safety and health, as well as the proper use of PPE.

A Better Livelihood and Working Conditions for Indonesia’s Waste Pickers

Waste pickers and scavengers, albeit informal and unregulated, have important roles and tasks in Indonesia’s waste management system. They are at the front line of our battle with waste, a crucial part that holds our waste management system from collapsing.

Therefore, it should be our utmost priority to uphold and improve their livelihoods and working conditions, especially in the middle of this pandemic where they are now more vulnerable than ever towards infectious disease.

Photo credit: Ronyluke/Waste4Change

One of the simplest and easiest things that each person can do to help them is to start segregating our waste at home and from the source. Why? Because mixed waste is a breeding ground for disease vectors.

Hence, by separating your waste at least into organic and inorganic waste, you can help ease the work burden of waste operators and scavengers. Especially medical and infectious waste such as disposable masks that become omnipresent due to COVID-19.

Moreover, you can subscribe to our Personal Waste Management service so that your waste will be picked up straight from your doorstep in a segregated condition. By using our PWM service, you can help improve the livelihood and working conditions of our waste operators with a fair and safe system for all.

References:

Ferusgel, A., Mahyurni Nastion, R., & Butar-butar, M. (2018). Keluhan Gangguan Kulit pada Pemulung Wanita di Tempat Pembuangan Akhir (TPA) Terjun. Jurnal Aisyah: Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan3(2), 145-152. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.30604/jika.v3i2.127

YD2SMG, K., 2020. KEMAS: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat. [online] Journal.unnes.ac.id. Available at: <http://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/kemas> [Accessed 7 September 2020].

Srisantyorini, T., & Cahyaningsih, N. (2019). Analisis Kejadian Penyakit Kulit pada Pemulung di Tempat Pengelolaan Sampah Terpadu (TPST) Kelurahan Sumur Batu, Kecamatan Bantar Gebang, Kota Bekasi. Jurnal Kedokteran Dan Kesehatan15(2). https://doi.org/2549-6883

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