Arbetsmiljörelaterad exponering och ohälsa i cirkulär ekonomi - en litteraturstudie

Kunskapsläge och kunskapsluckor

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy has led to an increase in employment in the reuse and waste management sectors, where significant health risks appear to exist. This review aims to: (1) identify and include all relevant studies on the working environment in relation to reuse and waste management, conducted in countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) up to 2025, in order to provide a broad overview of the research conducted while reflecting Swedish working conditions; (2) assess occupational exposure and associated health risks across different types of exposure; and (3) identify knowledge gaps related to occupational exposure and health risks within reuse and waste management. The literature search identified 207 articles that were included in the review. These were published between 1992 and 2024 and originated from 29 OECD countries. The analysis of studies on exposure and health in recycling work indicates highly complex chemical exposures (bioaerosols, metals, and organic compounds) and physical exposures (e.g., ergonomic risk factors, noise, and gases). Health effects are understudied but indicate increased risks of diseases affecting multiple organ systems. Knowledge gaps in waste management include, among other things, exposure to emerging chemicals and metals in different waste streams, their health effects, including mixture/cocktail effects, and organizational factors in relation to health and quality of work. There are major knowledge gaps regarding exposure and health risks associated with the reuse of different materials in the circular economy. Due to the complex nature of these exposures, organizations involved in reuse and waste management need to work proactively by strengthening training in occupational health and safety, risk assessments, and medical surveillance.

The transition to a circular economy has led to an increase in employment in the reuse and waste management sectors, where significant health risks appear to exist. This review aims to: (1) identify and include all relevant studies on the working environment in relation to reuse and waste management, conducted in countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) up to 2025, in order to provide a broad overview of the research conducted while reflecting Swedish working conditions; (2) assess occupational exposure and associated health risks across different types of exposure; and (3) identify knowledge gaps related to occupational exposure and health risks within reuse and waste management. The literature search identified 207 articles that were included in the review. These were published between 1992 and 2024 and originated from 29 OECD countries. The analysis of studies on exposure and health in recycling work indicates highly complex chemical exposures (bioaerosols, metals, and organic compounds) and physical exposures (e.g., ergonomic risk factors, noise, and gases). Health effects are understudied but indicate increased risks of diseases affecting multiple organ systems. Knowledge gaps in waste management include, among other things, exposure to emerging chemicals and metals in different waste streams, their health effects, including mixture/cocktail effects, and organizational factors in relation to health and quality of work. There are major knowledge gaps regarding exposure and health risks associated with the reuse of different materials in the circular economy. Due to the complex nature of these exposures, organizations involved in reuse and waste management need to work proactively by strengthening training in occupational health and safety, risk assessments, and medical surveillance.