Hazardous waste in mine shafts

HazarDouSWaSTE in minESHafTS

a single pigeon can excrete up to 25 pounds of feces a year, adding dangerous weight to structures and causing slippery conditions in cool damp places.

when we think of hazardous waste in a mining environment, things that come to mind might be asbestos, a variety of different chemicals, or even mercury; but one never conjures up the images of pigeon feces.

As far as we know, pigeons and pigeon contaminants do not pose COVID or H1N1 risks, but there are a variety of other occupational health and safety risks that are presented when working around bird contaminants in enclosed spaces.

histORy

The species that we refer to as the pigeon, which can be found in cities and rural areas in Canada, is the feral rock pigeon. This bird was a cliff-dwelling bird that was commonly found feeding and breeding along rocky coastlines prior to its mass exodus inland to make its home alongside man. Its origins are also what makes this bird feel so much at home in the shafts of mines across the country.

Pigeons breed and roost in groups and if conditions are adequate, a pair of pigeons and their offspring can bring up to 40 birds in a 12-month period, and five mating pairs can produce up to 200 pigeons in two years. More alarmingly, a single bird can excrete up to 25 pounds of feces a year, adding dangerous weight to structures and causing slippery conditions in cool damp areas. Mine shafts make for a perfect roosting environment for pigeons. The birds are safe from the elements outdoors and from predators looking for their next meal. The natural structures of mine shafts can also accumulate hundreds of pounds of pigeon droppings over the course of a few years, making an environment and occupational health and safety nightmare.

dANgERs

Pigeon droppings may pose a moderate health risk to the general public, but the risk of contracting a respiratory illness drastically increases when working around pigeon droppings in enclosed areas. Pigeons have been associated with a variety of diseases including Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, Psittacosis, and Gastrointestinal illness. The most common of which are Histoplasmosis and Cryptococcosis.

histOPlAsMOsis

Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus (Histoplasma capsulatum) and is found in soil with high organic content and undisturbed pigeon and bat droppings. The disease is transmitted to humans when spores – carried by the air – are inhaled, especially after a roost has been disturbed.

Most infections are mild and produce either no symptoms or a minor influenza-like illness. On occasion, the disease can cause high fever, blood abnormalities, pneumonia, and even death.

Cryptococcosis is a disease caused by the yeast-like fungus, Cryptococcosis neoformans. The fungus is found frequently in the environment, particularly in pigeon droppings, nesting places and soil, especially if it is contaminated with pigeon feces.

It is believed that the infection is spread by inhalation of the organism. The disease is not transmitted directly from person to person. The time from exposure to the organism and the development of disease is not known, however, lung disease may precede brain infection by months or years.

PREVENtiON

The fungus that causes cryptococcosis is known to be present in pigeon droppings. It is recommended that when smaller amounts of droppings are to be removed, they should first be made wet to reduce the likelihood of inhaling the fungus.

Large amounts of bird or bat droppings should be cleaned up by a professional company that specialize in the removal of hazardous waste. A professional company can ensure:

• During the cleanup, seal heating and cooling air ducts or shut the system down. Only authorized cleanup personnel should be present.

• The cleanup should be done by healthy individuals.

• Wear a respirator that can filter particles as small as 0.3 microns.

• Wear disposable protective gloves, hat, coveralls and shoe coverings.

• Moisten the droppings with a light mist of water to keep spores from becoming airborne and keep them wet.

• Put droppings into sealed plastic contractor bags. The outside of the bags should be rinsed and sterilized before they are placed in a disposal container.

• When finished and while still wearing the respirator, remove protective clothing and place it in a sealed contractor bag.

• Wash or shower.

• Follow local government regulations to dispose the waste in specific dumping sites.

• Modify the structure to prevent pigeons or bats from re-establishing the roost. l Whether it is a mine-shaft that needs to be cleaned thoroughly or a pigeon infestation that needs to be controlled, our certified wildlife technicians always deliver humane, effective, professional and efficient wildlife control services every time. • CERTIFIED WILDLIFE TECHNICIANS • DIVERSE WORKPLACE • FOLLOW UP-VISITS

CONTACT US TODAY! 306.522.1292 info@feralperil.ca

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