Garbage collectors strike: garbage is dumped and burned… why is it dangerous to health?

Will garbage collectors expand their movement? On the 22nd day of the strike, the situation in the regions improved slightly with the gradual resumption of work in Marseille. Garbage collection will resume in all microdistricts, This was announced on Monday, March 27, by Patrick Ayas, Deputy Secretary General of FO Territorials. But in Nantes, Angers, Poitiers, Guingamp and Le Havre, the situation remains very hectic, where garbage collectors continue to strike until Friday.

While in Paris, even if the amount of waste accumulated on the streets fell below the symbolic threshold of 10,000 tons this weekend thanks to the reopening of incinerators and requisitions, more than 7,000 tons still remain. Therefore, a return to normal life is not yet advisable. Especially since on Monday morning garbage collectors, trade unionists, students and railway workers blocked the incinerator in Ivry-sur-Seine (Val-de-Marne) in protest against the requisitioning by the police. The demonstrators also went to Issy-les-Moulineaux (Hauts-de-Seine).

In addition to social demands, there are numerous clashes on the sidelines: in Paris on Thursday evening, dozens of garbage cans were set on fire in the narrow streets of the Opera district, which could portend consequences for the health of residents. To find out, we interviewed Dr. Frédéric Le Guillou, Vars pulmonologist and president of the French Association for Respiratory Health.

Is the accumulation of garbage cans outdoors dangerous in the long run for health?

In the 19ᵉ century, the invention of the garbage can and the creation of the main drain were two major advances in hygienic medicine. It’s not in vain. This decaying food waste can indeed release a certain amount of bacteria, molds, fungi that can be inhaled, and therefore all these microbes can be responsible for a certain number of respiratory pathologies. Especially for those who already have an underlying respiratory disease such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, cancer… This can aggravate or even exacerbate the underlying disease. This is also seen in children. Provided, of course, to be near this waste.

But the local resident, who every day passes in front of him, given the number of gutted bags, is not immune from inhaling these toxic fumes too often. We cannot exclude this, because there is a much higher concentration. Not to mention rainwater, which can be contaminated by contact with this waste, and the urine of rats (responsible for leptospirosis), which all run down the drain. It would be interesting to know what the water quality is like in Paris now. Mayor’s office stepped up wastewater treatment? The question arises because we are talking about the entire ecosystem.

How to protect yourself from these pollution factors?

For the most fragile people, when the concentration of waste is high, it is easiest to wear a surgical mask because it filters almost 70% of the substances. In addition, if you have garbage cans under your windows, especially for those who live on the first or second floor, it is advisable not to open the windows too much at this time. Then, the higher you are on the floors, the lower the risk.

What about the consequences of garbage fires for the health of local residents?

Toxic fumes can indeed be emitted. And the main problem is actually dioxins, a group of very toxic organic pollutants present in plastics. Nanoparticles can get into the air we breathe. It is also not in vain that some residents oppose the presence of waste incinerators in their area.

Of course, here everything depends on the concentration to which a person is exposed. If it is very strong, it will irritate the skin. Pimples or acne may appear. These toxins can also be inhaled, but they also pass through the eyes and mouth. This will be stored as fat and stay in the body for a very long time. Depending on the intensity of the exposure, we may subsequently develop diseases as they are endocrine disruptors. So beware of pregnant women and children. There are also many other toxic components in these vapors, which can then enter the bloodstream. It can exacerbate all kinds of underlying respiratory or heart conditions.