Estudio transversal de la cultura ambiental y la salud ocupacional de recicladores informales de Lima, Perú

Purpose: To determine the level of environmental culture of the informal sector waste pickers and compliance with occupational health standards of informal waste pickers. Specific objectives: to explore the relationship between the level of environmental culture and compliance with occupational health standards: exposure to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents in informal waste pickers in 2019. Methods: Quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional, and non-experimental study. A sample of 400 informal waste pickers participated. Two questionnaires were applied: environmental culture and occupational health standards. Results: There is a medium positive and weak positive relationship between the environmental culture variable and the different agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic). There is a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and occupational health. Likewise, there is a weak positive significant correlation between environmental culture and agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic), and a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and the social responsibility agent. Conclusions: Informal waste pickers do not have their basic needs and rights met. A lack of occupational health safety characterizes informal recycling, so it is necessary to create formal and safe work environments with health promotion and prevention practices.