Waste pickers’ perception of occupational hazards and well-being in a Nigerian megacity

Socio-Economic, Health and Environmental Aspects of Child Waste Picking Activity at Africa's Largest Dumpsite

“…The majority of the child waste pickers living near the dumpsite could be attributed to the economic consideration of reducing transport costs between residence and workplace. This assertion is consistent with the observation of Dada et al (2022).…”

“…Another driver of waste picking activity, especially in developing countries, is the convenient market offered by industrialists and merchants for waste pickers' goods, with the likelihood of satisfying their needs (Medina, 2006) and the level of informality of livelihood sources. It is also apparent that waste picking requires little or no formal education or special skills to be engaged in the activity (Dada et al, 2022). It, therefore, makes it easy for people, including children, to enter into the activity.…”

“…However, waste pickers face diverse and many hazards and risks because of their horrible labor conditions. Waste pickers also live in deplorable conditions and suffer stigmatization and abuse, as handling waste materials is despised by society (Scheinberg et al, 2006;Dada et al, 2022).…”

“…These diseases include dysentery, diarrhea, typhoid, tuberculosis, cholera, anthrax, skin disorders, pneumonia, poliomyelitis, and malaria. Waste pickers are also exposed to insect stings, snake bites, and injuries from sharp objects, resulting in tetanus (Dada et al, 2022). Afon (2012) identified six types of hazards and risks to which waste pickers generally could be exposed.…”

“…These groups of people live and work, retrieving and sorting valuable items from municipal open dumps. Several of these children and youths settle in and around dumpsites to reduce the cost of transportation (Dada et al, 2022). According to Hunt (1996), the health risks posed by waste picking may be more significant for children than for adults.…”