Prioritizing dumpsite risks and interventions: an overview and framework for action with a focus on LMICs

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Risk Assessment

Background:

• Dumpsites are a major environmental and public health issue globally, particularly in LMICs.
• Uncontrolled waste disposal leads to pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and health risks.
• Pollutants from dumpsites can migrate through environmental matrices to human receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate existing risk assessment procedures for dumpsites.
• To propose a research direction for a standardized human health risk assessment (HHRA) methodology.
• To prioritize interventions for the most dangerous dumpsites in a given territory.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing environmental and health risk assessment methodologies.
• Focus on characteristics suitable for dumpsites in LMICs.
• Identification and discussion of the relative HHRA approach.

Main Results:

• Dumpsites present significant environmental and public health challenges, especially in LMICs.
• Pollutant migration from dumpsites poses risks to human health.
• The relative HHRA is identified as a practical and reliable approach for dumpsite risk assessment.

Conclusions:

• A standardized HHRA methodology is needed to prioritize interventions for dumpsites.
• Further research and policy recommendations are required for effective dumpsite management.
• Addressing dumpsites is crucial for mitigating environmental pollution and public health risks in LMICs.