Ncube, FranceNcube, Esper JacobethVoyi, K.V.V. (Kuku)2017-09-182017-09-182017-01-12Ncube, F., Ncube, E.J. & Voyi, K. 2017, 'Bioaerosols, noise, and ultraviolet radiation exposures for municipal solid waste handlers', Journal of Environmental and Public Health, vol. 2017, art. no. 3081638, pp. 1-8.1687-9805 (print)1687-9813 (online)10.1155/2017/3081638http://hdl.handle.net/2263/62273The paper was presented at the Public Health Practitioners Association (PHASA) Conference of South Africa, held in the period 19–22 September 2016.Few studies have investigated the occupational hazards of municipal solid waste workers, particularly in developing countries. Resultantly these workers are currently exposed to unknown and unabated occupational hazards that may endanger their health. We determined municipal solid waste workers’ work related hazards and associated adverse health endpoints. A multifaceted approach was utilised comprising bioaerosols sampling, occupational noise, thermal conditions measurement, and field based waste compositional analysis. Results from our current study showed highest exposure concentrations for Gram-negative bacteria (6.8 × 103 cfu/m3) and fungi (12.8 × 103 cfu/m3), in the truck cabins. Significant proportions of toxic, infectious, and surgical waste were observed. Conclusively, municipal solid waste workers are exposed to diverse work related risks requiring urgent sound interventions. A framework for assessing occupational risks of these workers must prioritize performance of exposure assessment with regard to the physical, biological, and chemical hazards of the job.en© 2017 France Ncube et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.HazardsMunicipal solid waste workersHealthBioaerosols samplingArticle