Project
Risk Assessment
Disposal

Disposal

Hazard Identification

Chemical and Biological Hazards: Potential exposure to hazardous decomposition products during recycling or incineration processes1 2.

Physical Hazards: Injuries related to waste handling and processing machinery2.

Evaluation

Level of Risk to Workers

Workers involved in the disposal of receipt paper may come into contact with chemical substances, especially BPA and BPS1 2. Yet, the precise risks associated with throwing away receipt paper are not as thoroughly recorded3 4.

Measurement of Risk

  • Biomonitoring: The most direct method is measuring BPA and BPS levels in urine or blood samples of waste workers5 6.

  • Workplace Sampling: Chemical compositions are analyzed in waste products and the environment1 2.

Exposure Limits

Given that it is beyond the scope of this project, the examination of OELs during the disposal phase is not included.

Types of Workers Most at Risk

Since receipt paper is non-recyclable, waste workers face potential risks1 7 2.

Potential Burden of Injury/Illness

  • Minor Injuries: Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are common8 9.
  • Respiratory Issues: Dust inhalation can lead to allergies, asthma, or other lung problems10 11.
  • Chemical Exposure: Depending on the substances involved, consequences could range from skin irritation12 10 to serious long-term health effects1.

Control

Engineering Controls: Use enclosed processing systems to contain particulates and emissions1 2.

Administrative Controls: Training on safe handling procedures and emergency procedures1 2.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide respiratory protection, gloves, and protective clothing1.

  1. Pivnenko K, Pedersen GA, Eriksson E, Astrup TF. Bisphenol A and its structural analogues in household waste paper. Waste Manag. 2015 Oct 1;44:39–47. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Astrup TF, Tonini D, Turconi R, Boldrin A. Life cycle assessment of thermal Waste-to-Energy technologies: Review and recommendations. Waste Manag. 2015 Mar 1;37:104–15. ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Biedermann S, Tschudin P, Grob K. Transfer of bisphenol A from thermal printer paper to the skin. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2010 Sep 1;398(1):571–6. ↩︎

  4. Schwartz AW, Landrigan PJ. Bisphenol A in Thermal Paper Receipts: An Opportunity for Evidence-Based Prevention. Environ Health Perspect. 2012 Jan;120(1):a14–5. ↩︎

  5. Bousoumah R, Leso V, Iavicoli I, Huuskonen P, Viegas S, Porras SP, et al. Biomonitoring of occupational exposure to bisphenol A, bisphenol S and bisphenol F: A systematic review. Sci Total Environ. 2021 Aug 20;783:146905. ↩︎

  6. Ndaw S, Remy A, Denis F, Marsan P, Jargot D, Robert A. Occupational exposure of cashiers to bisphenol S via thermal paper. Toxicol Lett. 2018 Dec 1;298:106–11. ↩︎

  7. Gogoi A, Neog B. The dark side of thermal printed paper. Curr Sci. 2016 Jan;110(1):11–2. ↩︎

  8. Yadav UK, Dewan R, Verma N, Singh A. Prominent Safety and Health Hazards During Crude Extraction: A Review of Process. J Fail Anal Prev. 2021 Apr 1;21(2):604–9. ↩︎

  9. Torén K, Hagberg S, Westberg H. Health effects of working in pulp and paper mills: exposure, obstructive airways diseases, hypersensitivity reactions, and cardiovascular diseases. Am J Ind Med. 1996 Feb;29(2):111–22. ↩︎

  10. Onyije FM, Hosseini B, Togawa K, Schüz J, Olsson A. Cancer Incidence and Mortality among Petroleum Industry Workers and Residents Living in Oil Producing Communities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jan;18(8):4343. ↩︎ ↩︎

  11. Liao C, Kannan K. Widespread Occurrence of Bisphenol A in Paper and Paper Products: Implications for Human Exposure. Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Nov 1;45(21):9372–9. ↩︎

  12. O’Callaghan-Gordo C, Orta-Martínez M, Kogevinas M. Health effects of non-occupational exposure to oil extraction. Environ Health. 2016 Apr 26;15(1):56. ↩︎

Distribution & UseDiscussion