Municipal Solid Waste Management and Health Risks: Application of Solid Waste Safety Plan in Novi Sad, Serbia

Inadequate solid waste management (SWM) can cause environmental contamination and health risks. Minimizing the health risks from SWM practices requires the identification of linkages between potential sources of exposure, environmental transport pathways, and adverse health outcomes. A safety planning approach can represent an innovative tool for reducing such risks. In previous research, we introduced the solid waste safety plan (SWSP) concept, only focusing on the health risk ranking assessment matrix. Here, we demonstrate the application of the SWSP framework in a case study of the municipal landfill of Novi Sad, Serbia. We identify potential hazards and assessed the likelihood and severity for them, using a combination of quantitative and semi-quantitative approaches to estimate risk levels for each identified hazard. Hazards deemed high and very high risks for the community and workers include groundwater contamination from leachate, airborne contaminants from combustion and non-combustion processes, and worker injuries associated with waste combustion. Control measures for each are identified, together with a corresponding cost analysis. Adding a final top cover to the landfill and introducing a collection, transport, and treatment system for the biogas would address hazards presenting high health risks but are also among the highest costs. While we demonstrate the approach and utility of an SWSP in a research context, future work is needed to assess the use of the SWSP by local communities or SWM utilities. Highlights The structure and development of a solid waste safety plan (SWSP) are discussed. The SWSP is applicable both in developing and industrialized countries. The SWSP was applied to the municipal landfill of Novi Sad, Serbia as a case study. Highest risks resulted from worker injuries and groundwater and air contamination. Control measures and associated cost estimates were identified.