What are the Side Effects of Working by a Recycling Plant?

Recycling plants take the bottles, paper, and cans that people recycle and break them down into raw materials. Those who work near these plants are at risk for inhaling some potentially harmful fumes. Recycling plants have measures in place to protect their workers and the neighborhood citizens from being exposed, but there exists human error and exposure does still occur.

Possible Exposure to Toxic Plastics

• PVC emits dioxins, which can be harmful to your health.

  According to Ecocycle, plastics with the #3 symbol are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC is in a number of products ranging from computer parts to toys to credit cards. PVC, when incinerated, forms dioxins, reports Ecocycle. Dance with the Shadows pegs dioxin as, "the most toxic substance known to science." Other chemicals that can be released during the production and recycling of plastic are ethylene oxide, benzene and xylenes, according to Dance with the Shadows. These chemicals can cause health problems. Although recycling plants usually have filtration systems and other measures in place to control the amount of chemicals being exerted into the air, exposure is still possible. Gregory W. Griggs, in his Los Angeles Times article Recycling Plant Dangers Cited, discusses a situation where a recycling plant did not take the appropriate safety measures. Halaco Engineering closed after 40 years in late 2004 and citizens are still unable to go onto the property without it posing a risk to their health. If you work near a recycling plant, you could be breathing in some of these chemicals.

Possible Exposure to Toxic Metals

• Metal is a commonly recycled material.

  Many recycling plants are metal smelting plants. Halaco Engineering was one of these plants. According to the Los Angeles Times, radioactive thorium was found at the site. "Studies show that inhaling thorium dust causes increased risk of developing bone, lung or pancreatic cancers," reports the Times. This risk is further increased if the exposure is over a long period of time. If you work by a smelting plant, there is a possibility that you could be inhaling toxic chemicals. Keep in mind that Halco Engineering is an extreme case and that most recycling plants have air filtration systems in place.

Other Exposure

• This pile of recycling could could contain mold.

  According to the Health and Safety Executive, fungi and mold inhalation is another risk posed by consistently working near a recycling plant. If these spores are inhaled, they can cause allergy or infection.

  Another potential problem associated with working near a recycling plant is the presence of rats. Rats can cause health problems such as Leptospirosis, which is a water-borne infection associated with rats, according to the Health and Safety Executive.