Cook, E, Velis, KA orcid.org/0000-0002-1906-726X and Black, L orcid.org/0000-0001-8531-4989 (2022) Construction and Demolition Waste Management: A Systematic Scoping Review of Risks to Occupational and Public Health. Frontiers in Sustainability, 3. 924926. ISSN 2673-4524
Abstract
Despite the relatively benign characteristics of construction and demolition waste, its mismanagement can result in considerable harm to human health for 200 million workers and those who live and work in proximity to construction and demolition activities. The high number of workers classified as informal, results in a large unregulated and vulnerable workforce at a high risk of exposure to hazards. We focused a systematic scoping review (PRISMA-ScR) on evidence associating construction and demolition waste with hazards and risks in low- and middle-income countries. We reviewed more than 3,000 publications, narrowed to 49 key sources. Hazard-pathway-receptor scenarios/combinations were formulated, enabling indicative ranking and comparison of the relative harm caused to different groups. Though the evidential basis is sparse, there is a strong indication that the combustible fraction of construction and demolition waste is disposed of by open burning in many low- and middle-income countries, including increasing quantities of high chloride-content PVC; risking exposure to dioxins and related compounds. A long-standing and well-known hazard, asbestos, continues to represent a health threat throughout the world, claiming 250,000 lives per annum despite being banned in most countries. In the coming decades, it is anticipated that more than half of all deaths from asbestos will take place in India, where it is still sold. Comparatively, the highest risks from construction and demolition waste exist in low- and middle-income countries where attention to risk mitigation and control is needed.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 Cook, Velis and Black. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. |
Keywords: | solid waste (MSW), informal recycling sector (IRS), circular economy, hazardous waste, accidents and causes, construction and demolition waste, occupational and public health and safety, open burning of solid waste |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Royal Academy of Engineering Not Known |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 18 Oct 2022 10:03 |
Last Modified: | 18 Oct 2022 10:03 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Frontiers Media |
Identification Number: | 10.3389/frsus.2022.924926 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:192231 |