Occupational exposure to size-segregated particulate matter in solid waste handling: a Multi-analytical and Dosimetric study

Urban solid waste management in developing countries often exposes the frontline workers to airborne particulate matter (PM) poses serious health risks. This study was conducted among the waste workers in Peruntholuvu village in Tirupur district, India. Using a personal cascade impactor operating at a flow rate of 9.3 dm3/min, exposure assessments were performed at four operational stages namely residential collection, street-to-street collection, transport and dump yard operations. Analytical characterization of the collected PM samples was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The chemical analysis revealed the presence of heavy metals including lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and mercury (Hg) at trace levels. FTIR confirmed hazardous functional groups like amines, aromatic hydrocarbons, and organophosphates. SEM micrographs showed 0.25 µm diameter fibrous and porous PM structures, indicating deeper lung penetration. The Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD) model indicated that the ultrafine particles <0.25 µm, the fractional deposition in the pulmonary region reached 0.285 (28.5%) for workers in the dump yard and a fraction of 0.232 (23.2%) for residential collectors, implying deep lung deposition. Study confirms the increased risk of chronic respiratory conditions due to unprotected exposure including non-mechanised and comingled waste handling.