Association between exposure to urban waste and emotional and behavioral difficulties in schoolchildren

Objective

To evaluate the association between living near waste recycling sites and emotional or behavioral difficulties in schoolchildren.

Methodology

A cross‐sectional study with schoolchildren aged 6–13 years old from disadvantaged communities in a Brazilian city, divided between those who live less than 100 m away from the central point of the recycling site and those that live more than 150 m away from the site, as a control group and classified through georeferencing. The emotional and behavioral difficulties were investigated using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire tool. Other variables were analyzed through logistic regression to determine their contribution to the outcomes.

Results

Children living near waste recycling sites had a higher prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems than children living farther away. In the logistic regression model, no other covariates had a significant impact on the results, except for attending preschool. As expected, the families of the exposed group had lower income and lower levels of schooling, thus being characterized as a highly vulnerable population.

Conclusion

The association between living near waste recycling sites and lower test performance raises concerns about the impact of inappropriate waste management in urban centers on children's health.