Assessment of Immunity Status against Hepatitis B and C among Staff in Different Sections of a Waste Processing and Disposal Facility

Masud  Yunesian; Hosna  Janjani; Zohreh  Bahmani; Kamyar  Yaghmaeian; Fatemeh  Yousefian; Mina  Aghaei

doi:10.18502/ijre.v21i2.19912

Masud Yunesian Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hosna Janjani Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
Zohreh Bahmani Green Space and Waste Studies, Tehran Urban Research and Planning Center, Tehran, Iran
Kamyar Yaghmaeian Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Yousefian Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mina Aghaei Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijre.v21i2.19912

Keywords: Seroprevalence, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Waste management staff

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The increased production of infectious and sharp waste in waste disposal centers has created significant health risks for staff in these facilities. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B and C among staff of the Aradkuh Waste Processing and Disposal Complex in Tehran.

Methods: In this study, 89 staff from four different sections—administrative, pre-processing, post-processing (composting), and landfill were selected through convenience sampling, and their blood samples were tested for HBsAg, Anti-HBs, and Anti-HCV markers using the ELISA method. The anti-Hepatitis B antibody titer (Anti-HBs) was categorized into three levels: complete immunity (>100 IU/L), partial immunity (10-100 IU/L), and no immunity (<10 IU/L). The results were reported based on the staff in different sections.

Results: The results showed that 25% of the staff lacked protective immunity against hepatitis B, while 57% were completely immune, and 18% had partial immunity. The staff in the preprocessing unit were at the most significant risk, with 50% lacking protective immunity, whereas the administrative staff had the best immunity status, with 76% being fully immune. Regarding active hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive), two individuals (11%) in the primary processing group and one individual (4%) in the post-processing (compost) group tested positive.

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that a significant percentage of staff lacked adequate immunity to hepatitis B. Additionally, positive cases of HBsAg and anti-HCV were identified. The staff involved in primary and final processing were at high risk of contracting hepatitis B and C due to frequent contact with urban waste containing used syringes, drug vials, sharp objects, and infectious waste. This highlights the importance of widespread vaccination, continuous monitoring of safety status, and implementation of occupational safety standards to reduce the risks of exposure to infectious waste and sharps. These findings can serve as a valuable basis for designing preventive interventions to promote occupational health among personnel in this field.