The EU’s Action Plan for Circular Economy and Sustainable Growth seeks to enhance the EU economy’s readiness for a green future, boost competitiveness, and minimize environmental impacts. As Europe transitions to a circular economy, today’s waste will be transformed into tomorrow’s raw materials. The waste management sector is expected to play a vital role in this transition; however, knowledge about health hazards encountered by workers in this industry is still limited.
The reuse and recycling of electronics, batteries, vehicles, plastics, and metals can expose workers to various chemicals. This project focuses on the waste management sector, specifically investigating exposure to chemicals such as metals, phthalates, and flame retardants during the handling of electronic and plastic waste. Air samples will be collected to analyse metal content, while biological samples such as blood, urine, and skin will be examined for exposure markers, including metals, phthalates, plasticizers, and inflammatory biomarkers.
Ultimately, this project aims to map chemical exposure in waste management, establish connections between exposure levels and health markers in employees, and test innovative monitoring methods that may facilitate future risk assessments.
Project Leader (STAMI):
Elke Eriksen
Project Participants (STAMI):
Pål Graff
Nils Petter Skaugset
Steen Mollerup
Erika Zardin
Mina Marthinsen Langfjord
External Collaborators in PARC:
The project is led by Susana Viegas (ENSP, PT) og Tiina Santonen (TTL, FI). A total of 12 partners from different countries are involved.
Financial Contributors:
Horizon Europe (50% European Union, 50% STAMI)
Related information:
www.eu-parc.eu/
HBM: Waste management sector (P4.1.1.4d)