Hazards In Sewage Treatment Plants Biology Essay

ventures In Sewage Treatment Plants Biology Essay john irrigate consists of a mixture of domestic cloaca which implicates waste from sinks, household toilets, showers, wash drawing machines. It to a fault consists of industrial effluent, occasional run-off of sur face water and ground water which has infiltrated into the sewers.99.99% of sewer water consists of water, and 0.01 % of it comprises of dissolved or suspended solid matter (www.fairfield-city.org/effluent.cfm fancy Accessed 14.02.13)2.1 Wastewater BiologyUntreated sewerage whitethorn contain a number of disease create organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungus, worms and protozoa (McCunney, 1986 Weldon et al, 2000 Sch press releaseer et al, 1999).Airborne bacteria c at one timentrations are usually very high where sewer is agitated, much(prenominal) as expert incoming sewer water inlets and sludge discourse rural areas (Laitinen et al, 1994). Compare to other areas of a WWTP, a few airborne bacteria c ontrol also been make in dandy areas such as control rooms (Laitinen et al, 1994).The major(ip) route of exposure to these microorganisms is the foecal-oral route (McCunney, 1986). This cat valiumly occurs during eating, drinking, smoking or by touching the face with contaminated hands or gloves (HSE, 1998). Inhalation of aerosols containing microorganisms is non so common. Nevertheless(prenominal) it is an essential method of approach. Skin absorption is less support since pathogens only enter skin damaged by cuts, burns, blisters, or puncture wounds (Laitinen et al 1994 McCunney, 1986). The mucous membranes such as in the look and nose may also provide a pathway of entry for certain disease causing microorganisms.2.2 Hazards in sewerage treatment plants2.2.1 biological Hazards in wastewaterDiseases are caused by infective agents such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths and fungi which are present in the raw domestic wastewater mainly from humans origin and in agric ultural wastes. Diseases are also caused by tactile sensation with the toxins released by the infectious organisms, by insects or rodents well-situated in the sludge drying beds (ILO cyclopedia of occupational wellness and Safety, 1983).The following infectious agents fuck be fix in raw wastewater prorogue 2.1 The biological organisms in wastewaterOrganismSigns SymptomsBacteriaSalmonellaNausea, headache, diarrhea and nauseant al some al ways with a fever.Tetanus (lockjaw)Muscular stiffness in jaw, neck. Sweating, fever, difficulty swallowing.ShigellaCramps, diarrhea, fever, bloody stool, nausea, vomiting.Leptospirosis (Weils Disease)Intestinal problems, liver and kidney disease, jaundice.E. coliDiarrhea, vomiting, little or no fever, blood often seen in stool.TulareisisChills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, stomach bruise, diarrhea, vomiting.YersiniaDiarrhea, fever, type AB pain that resembles appendicitis.VirusesHepatitis AFever, abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice, dark-colored urine.Hepatitis BNausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, joint pain.Hepatitis CDevelops slowly, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Jaundice is less common.HIVDestroys immune system, inclined to opportunistic infections.PolioFever, headache, nausea, muscle pain and stiffness, paralysis.ParasitesEntameoebahistolytica (amebiasis)Mild nausea, loose stool, abdominal tenderness. In severe cases can spread throughout the body and lash out other organs, especially the liver.Giardia lambliaCramps, weight loss, loose/greasy stool, bloating. Fever is rare.Sources AFSCME do Dept. of health.2.2.2 Virus2.2.2.1 Hepatitis AA study was carried out to determine whether or not occupational exposure to sewage is associated with a higher seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus. In order to carry out the study about 600 sewage prevailers in Singapore were tested. The study showed that sewage sounders had an increased occupational lay on the line of acquiring HAV infection and s hould be protected by active immunization (B. H. Heng, K. T. Goh, S. Doraisingham, and G. H. Quek, 1994).2.2.3 Bacteria2.2.3.1 Helicobacter pylori some(prenominal) studies ache shown that there was an increased jeopardy for gastric cancer among sewage workers. During the last decade, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori has appeared as one crystallizeical lay on the line factor for gastric cancer and is now considered a class I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on crabmeat (Rajnarayan R. Tiwari, 2008).2.2.3.2 LegionellaLegionella pneumophiliais usually spread by water aerosols caused every pneumonia or a no pneumonic disease (Pontiac fever). An investigation on American sewage workers found that there was no increased risk of infection with Lpneumophilia. But recently some cases of Pontiac fever sport been report in workers exposed to aerosols from a sewage plant in the food industry treating only organic industrial waste. L pneumophilia, homogeneous to that present in the infected workers was cultured from the sludge (Gregersen P, Grunnet K, Uldum SA, Andersen BH, Madsen H. 1999).2.2.4 ParasitesThere has been a significant positive association between the finding of protozoa in faeces from sewage workers and the duration of exposure to sewage, (Knobloch J,Bialek R,Hagemann J. Intestinaler Protozoenbefall durchberufsbedingten Abwasserkontakt,1983). It has been reported that the prevalence of pestis with intestinal parasites was decreased by adopting good hygienic practices (Schlosser, O., et al, 1999). An increased risk for giardiasis has been reported among workers in France and Germany (Schlosser et al, 1999 Knobloch J, Bialek R, Hagemann J. Intestinalerb Protozoenbefallb durchberufsbedingtenb Abwasserkontakt,1983 Doby JM, Duval JM, Beaucournu JC.Amibiase, 1980 Clark CS, Linnemann CC, Clark JG, Gartside PS.1984 Sullivan R, LinnemannJr CC, Clark CS, Walzer PD.1987).An increased incidence of Entamoebahistiolytica has been reported in s ewage exposed workers in France, but not in Germany (Bialek R, Hagemann J. Intestinaler Protozoenbefalldurchberufsbedingten Abwasserkontakt. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1983 Doby JM, Duval JM, Beaucournu JC.Amibiase, 1980).2.3 Chemical HazardWastewater contains a great amount of industrial contaminants which may handicap those people who come into inter-group communication with sewage. accord to the Pennsylvania DEP, methane and carbon dioxide were the most common chemical byproducts of wastewater. If found in a small envelop space with a quantity of sewage, these gases could crowd out oxygen and choke anyone trapped in the area (Nellie J.Brown, 1997).Sewage workers were also exposed to gases such as hydrogen disulfide, methane, ammonia and carbon monoxide. Watt and his colleagues carried out a study on 26sewer workers exposed to smell and it was found that 53.8% developed sub-acute symptoms including sore throat, cough, chest tightness, breathlessness, thirst, sweating and irritability . Severity of symptoms seemed to be superman link (Watt MM, Watt SJ, Seaton A. 1997).2.4 Physical HazardPhysical hazards were caused receivable to exposures to prodigal noise levels from mechanical equipment, UV radiation and adverse weather such as low or high temperature, and rain. (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1998)2.5 Ergonomic FactorsMusculoskeletal injuries were caused by over exertion during handling serious loads, such as containers of chemicals, or by awkward working postures including frequent bending (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1983).Sewage workers have reported osteoarthritic problems and intervertebral disc herniation which are the common spinal disorders (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1970). An investigation was carried out by Friedrich on 255 sewage workers to determine the occurrence of spinal troubles (i.e., neck, upper indorse and lower subscribe pain LBP). He reported that the 12-month pr evalence rates of neck, upper back and LBP were 52.4%, 54.8% and 72.8%, respectively. He concluded that the occurrence of spinal troubles and work disability referable to LBP increased with age, weekly duration of stooping, lifting and higher ab pattern illness-behavior scores (Friedrich M, Cermak T, Heiller I, 2000).2.6 Psychosocial and organisational factorsDiscomfort and psychological problems were related to prolonged wearing of protective clothing, the large(p) smells of the wastes, the feeling of working with soiledliquids in a dirty and not too respectable occupation, and to the worries caused by awareness of the dangers of the workplace (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1983).2.7 Accidental hazardsAccidental hazards which occurred in wastewater treatment plants include the followingsSlips and falls on floors made slippery by water, aqueous solutions or solvents.Falls into ponds, pits, clarifiers or tanks causing injuries or drowning.Hazards related to en try into imprisoned spaces. Suffocation can occur due to oxygen shortage, poisoning such as hydrogen sulfide.Burns, by steam or hot vapors, by splashes of hot plating baths, solvent sand other liquids, by contact with hot surfaces (e.g., annealing ovens),Electric shock caused by contact with unseasonable electrical equipment and cables.Cuts and pricks by sharp tools sharp edges.Injuries especially of look caused by flying particles, in particular from rotating brush cleaning or pluck grinding.Fire and explosions due to the formation and release of flammable gases such as methane, hydrogen during processing.Strong chemical reactions caused by uncontrolled mixing of chemicalsFor deterrent example when mixing water with concentrated sulfuric acid during the preparation of reagents for wastewater treatment. astute poisoning caused by various chemicals such as vapourous chlorine present in the wastes which is used as reagents, or released during the treatment.Acute in poisonousation caused if mistakenly drank untreated wastewater.Poisoning by phosgene, this may be formed if a worker smokes in the presence of chlorinated-solvent vapors, or if join or other flames or arcs are used.Chemical burns by black liquids.Damage to eyes by splashes of irritating or corrosive liquids (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1998).At a sewage treatment plant in Homeballe in Kimberley,five men aged between 30 and fifty who were repairing the pipes had lost their lives later on drowning in a bay. It was believed that they may have gone unconscious due to the toxic fumes from the sewage and the area that they were in then filled up with water and sewage causing all five men to then drown (Jonckie on November 6th, 2012).2.8 Health problems of workers at the treatment plant2.8.1 Effects on skin and mucous membranes among the workersMany sewage workers have reported skin disorders (Lundholm M, Rylander R, 1983 Scarlett-Kranz JM, Babish JG, Strickland D, Lisk DJ, 1 987) and inflammation of the eyes (Lundholm M, Rylander R, 1983 Mattsby I, Rylander R., 1978).After an accidental exposure to dust containing sludge, several incinerator workers at a sewage treatment plant in Toronto, Canada were affected by irritant contact dermatitis (Nethercott JR, 1981).2.8.2 Effects on the nervous systemStudies have also revealed that primeval nervous system symptoms such as headache, unusual tiredness, and concentration difficulties have been found among the sewage workers. In plus, an increased risk for non-specific work related gastrointestinal symptoms was found among the sewage workers (J Thorn, L Beijer, R Rylander, 2002).2.8.3 Respiratory symptomsSeveral studies have been done to study the respiratory function of sewage workers. only of them demonstrated that respiratory symptoms such as chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis were common among these workers (J Thorn, L Beijer, R Rylander, 2002). Moreover, abnormal respiratory functions which arose d ue to exposure to endotoxins and airborne bacteria by way of bio aerosols were also discovered in those sewage workers. Furthermore, Zuskin et al. reported that sewage workers were exposed to different occupational noxious agents, which may lead to the development of chronic lung function changes (Zuskin E, Mustajbegovic J, Schachter EN, 1993).2.9 Health Safety of workers accord to OSHA, the employer should give the workerTraining and education about the hazards present at the wastewater treatment plant.A place onsite with clean water for process handsA place to wash and clean up after work.The right PPE, such as gloves, goggles, a face shield, water-resistant suit, or respirator, depending on the descent type.Clean areas for eating and smoking.Cleaning facilities or serve for clothing and equipment. (If clothing is badly soiled, change out of it. Keep equipment clean to limit your exposures to the disease-causing agents (Anon, 2004).2.9.1 Safety of workersIn wastewater treatmen t plants, technology controls and work practices are the best ways to protect workers from exposures to disease. When engineering controls are not possible, the use ain protective equipment (PPE) is encouraged (Anon, 2004).2.9.1.2 Engineering controlsEngineering controls supplant or reduce the hazard either by initial engineering design specifications or by applying methods such as substitution, isolation or ventilation (Raterman, 2002).2.9.1.3 Administrative controlAdministrative controls that minimise employees exposures by scheduling reduce work times in contaminant areas, good work practices and employee training. Appropriate training which includes hazard recognition and work practices specific to the employees job that can help reduce exposures are given (Raterman, 2002).2.9.1.4 Personal evasive Equipment (PPE)Personal Protective Equipment means any equipment intended to be ill-defined or held by an employee and which protects him against risk to his health or safety. It includes(a) Any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective and(b) Clothing affording breastplate against the weather(Occupational Safety and Health act, 2005)Workers handling sewage are provided with beseeming PPE. The following PPE are recommended for workers handing sewageGoggles to protect eyes from splashes of human waste or sewage.Protective face mask or splash-proof face shield to protect nose and mouth from splashes of human waste or sewage.Liquid-repellent coveralls to keep human waste or sewage off clothing. seal off gloves to prevent exposure to sewage.Rubber boots to prevent exposure to sewage.(Centers for Disease moderate and Prevention, 2002).2.9.1.5 Training for WorkersAll workers who handle sewage receive training. The training should include information on basic hygiene practices use and disposal of personal protective equipment proper handling of sewage signs and symptoms of the different types ofdiseases present and ways in which diseases can be trans mitted. Workers are also advised to straight off seek medical attention if displaying any signs or symptoms such as vomiting, stomach cramps and watery diarrhea (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002).2.10 hygienics Practices2.10.1 HygieneHygiene is the association of human sciences, professions, technologies and disciplines for the train of protecting the health of individuals and friendship from any harmful exposure (Goldner, 2009). The science of hygiene comprises of disciplines, microbiology, parasitology, immunology, toxicology, entomology, pharmacology, environmental health including geography, topography, and engineering, all with a view to limit, inhibit, or block sources and characteristics that deter from normal living.2.10.2 Hygiene at WorkProtecting workers against disease, ill-health or impairment due to chemical, microbiological and physical health hazards, not only during, but after work, has been the conventional goal of occupational hygiene. Preventio n of occupational diseases emanating from the workplace due to toxic exposures has been one of the primary roles (Pityn, 2007).A well planned and properly penalize sanitation program for the workplace is of great importance for both the workers and the employers as it helps a company to attain better productivity in a safer work place and it ensures good working conditions for the workers.2.11 Medical surveillanceAccording to Occupational Safety and Health act, health surveillance should be provided to employees who are exposed to potentially hazardous substance. The medical surveillance should be relax of charge and should be carried out at intervalsof not less than once every 6 months or at shorter intervals as the medical practitioner may advise. (Occupational Safety and Health act 2005).2.12 The role of Waste piddle Management Authority (WMA)The WMA manages the public sewerage system which consists of 515 km of sewer network, 19 treatment plants and 50 pumping stations with the main treatment plants primed(p) at St-Martin, Grand-Baie, Baie-du-Tombeau, and Montagne Jacquot.The Wastewater Management Authority (WMA) has been established as a corporate body under the Wastewater Management Authority shape to be responsible for all matters relating to the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater. It operates as an free organization under the aegis of the Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities.The WMA frankincense plays an important role in the protection of the environment and in ensuring the countrys sustainable development by the provision of appropriate water pollution standards, wastewater control systems and management services to the entire population of Mauritius (www.gov.mu Accessed on 16.12.12).2.13 The purpose of this studyThe worldwide aim of the present study is to identify the general conditions of workers, the possible communicable and non-communicable disease which may affect the workers, the different types of symptoms undergo by the workers at the workplace, the personal protective equipment provided to the workers and the potential risk that can affect the workplace.In addition, information collected from the survey shall broaden the familiarity of sewage workers in regards to the harmful effects of sewage on health.