Waste Disposal Practices and their Impacts on Human Health in Aba Urban, South-Eastern Nigeria

 

Umunakwe Henry, C., Alozie Michael, C. and Eneogwe Innocent, C.

 

Full Length Research Paper I Published October,2018

 

Journal of Physical Science and Environmental Studies Vol. 4 (3), pp. 51-57

ABSTRACT

Haphazard solid waste disposal in waste dumpsites sited within urban environments has proved to be a problem to nearby residents in most developing areas of third world cities, Aba in this instance, is not an exception. Exposed waste dumps have environmental precautions as they can constitute major public health threats and environmental chaos in urban areas. Therefore, this article is a product of a feasible study carried out in Aba urban, South-Eastern Nigeria in order to determine the human health impacts of solid waste disposal at Port-Harcourt-Enugu expressway dumpsite. Data were elicited from 398 nearby dumpsite household residents (not more than 50 metres) and 233 faraway household residents (not less than 50 metres) through the use of structured self-administered questionnaires. Inter-views and personal observations were also engaged to gather some of the data. Descriptive statistics involving tables, graphs and figures were employed to collate, analyse and present the data in the form of information. The study findings indicate that both nearby residents and distant residents experienced related diseases like malaria, diarrhoea, chest pains, and cholera due to residing near the dumpsite. As a result, this study highlights the need for the Aba Urban Managers and Administrators to properly manage dumpsites health impacts by relocating the dumpsite to a safe distance from all human settlements, provide resettlement, environmental awareness creation and sensitisation programmes for living close to the dumpsite as temporary panacea.  

Key words: Contamination, dumpsite, environment, health, socio-economic, solid waste-pickers, waste, waste disposal.

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