Volume 21, Issue 2 (Vol.21, No.2, Summer 2025)
irje 2025, 21(2): 140-151 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Yunesian M, Janjani H, Bahmani Z, Yaghmaeian K, Yousefian F, Aghaei M. Assessment of Immunity Status Against Hepatitis B and C among Staff in Different Sections of a Waste Processing and Disposal Facility. irje 2025; 21 (2) :140-151
URL: http://irje.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7473-en.html
URL: http://irje.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7473-en.html
Masud Yunesian1 
, Hosna Janjani2 , Zohreh Bahmani3 , Kamyar Yaghmaeian1 , Fatemeh Yousefian4 , Mina Aghaei *5
, Hosna Janjani2 , Zohreh Bahmani3 , Kamyar Yaghmaeian1 , Fatemeh Yousefian4 , Mina Aghaei *5
1- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3- Green Space and Waste Studies, Tehran Urban Research and Planning Center, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Postdoctoral Fellow, Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
5- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Center for Solid Waste Research (CSWR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,aghaeimina@yahoo.com
2- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health (RCEDH), Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
3- Green Space and Waste Studies, Tehran Urban Research and Planning Center, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Postdoctoral Fellow, Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, USA
5- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Center for Solid Waste Research (CSWR), Institute for Environmental Research (IER), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (680 Views)
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.
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.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
