International Journal of Humanities and Religion (IJHR) www.humanitiesjournal.info Decamber, 2012 IJHR, 2(5):35-41 1 The Disposal of Hazardous Waste and the Labourer’s Right to Health Dr. Zubair Ahmad Khan* & Shahab Shabbir** ABSTRACT: The 21st century has witnessed an unexpected boom in technological developments which in turn is continuously leaving a mega heap of wastes at its other end. The waste is hazardous to the human environment which has a cascading effect upon the health of those who are attached in its disposal process and management. There is thus a direct challenge upon the right to health of the labourers. So, adopting techniques of their disposal after sorting out the proper challenges is imperative for the protection of labourer’s right to health as well as the promotion of a healthy environment. KEYWORDS: Labourers, Waste, Hazards, Management, Legislation. INTRODUCTION The quantity of municipal solid wastes generated in India has been consistently rising over the years. This can be attributed to the rapid population growth, adopting the technocentric life style, mass migration of population from rural to urban areas and increase in economic activities in general in the city. According to the Population Census 2011, the highest percentage of urban population in India is in Delhi. There has been a decennial population growth of 46.31% between 1991 and 2001 as against the corresponding All-India level, which is 21.34%. Along with intrinsic population growth the rural to urban mass migration account for additional population pressure on the city. (Bandela N. N., 2009) Change in lifestyle of the people has resulted in increased wasteful consumption, leading to a change in the composition and increase in the quantum of solid waste generated. Urban solid waste is normally a complex mixture of household, construction, commercial, toxic industrial elements and hospital wastes. On an average, Delhi generates 4000 tonnes1 o1f municipal solid waste per day out of which almost 38% are hazardous in nature. A physical analysis reveals that it consists of about 32% compostable matter which consists of both hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes. The recyclable components include paper 6.6%, plastics 1.5% and metals 2.5 % (CPCB Report). Primarily the responsibility of solid waste management is vested upon several public sector agencies. However, various other stakeholder groups, such as waste pickers, waste dealers, recyclers and recycling unit workers play significant roles in the overall scheme of things. The disposal mechanism of the hazardous substances thus comes in question where the health regards of all those who are directly exposed to it while being in the process of its disposal comes challenging their right to health. *Associate Professor, Department of Law, Aligarh Muslim University , Aligarh **Research Scholar , Department of Law , Aligarh Muslim University , Aligarh