Protecting Workers and the Environment from Hazardous Materials and Exposure Risks at Recycling Centers in Puerto Rico

The need to recycle materials is of growing importance across the globe and this reality is especially true on islands. Puerto Rico, and other places across the Caribbean, are no exception with limited space for landfills. This makes recycling not only good for the environment, but also a necessity.
 
With all the benefits of recycling, there are also some unique health and safety issues for the workers involved in this industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that recycling can be dangerous for workers since certain materials that are recycled or reused, such as scrap metal, electronics, batteries, and used oil and other chemicals, have materials that directly pose hazards to workers.
 
These hazards could include ammonia and other refrigerants, capacitors containing PCBs, mercury, asbestos, synthetic mineral fibers, dioxins, lead, cadmium, nickel and other toxic metals. Workers could also be exposed to a myriad of other hazardous chemicals, combustible dusts and components containing radioactive elements. 
 
“Even composting of organic materials carries risks for workers,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “According to OSHA, recycling organic materials can create hazardous environments which can be fatal to workers who are not aware of the potential dangers. In particular, composting facilities often have confined space hazards, which may have respiratory hazards such as hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide gases, or other gases that may displace the oxygen in the area. Other exposure concerns involve particulate matter and mold. Inhalation exposure could result in occupational asthma, allergies, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and other respiratory diseases.”
 
Protecting workers and the environment from hazardous materials and airborne pollutants are the professionals at Zimmetry Environmental. Operating out of Puerto Rico, their environmental and air quality experts offer testing and consulting services to identify, mitigate and eliminate hazards. Zimmetry has also recently sponsored an educational video about potential occupational exposure risks at recycling centers and reuse facilities that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/m4HY_bFhIWQ 
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, environmental, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail