Perceived Effect of Solid Waste Disposal Techniques on Health Status of Community Residents in Igando, Lagos State
Chapter One
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to:
- Identify challenges of solid waste disposal in Igando.
- Establish whether there are plans in place by the waste collector, to improve residents’ participation for better solid waste disposal in Igando,
- Enumerate the roles of stakeholders.
- Suggest and evaluate residents initiatives of solving the problem of effect of solid waste disposal in Igando.
- Identify the present disposal approaches and methods practiced in Igando.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITRATURE
This section is designed to examine the conceptual and theoretical frame works that pertaining to the variables in this study in line with the following sub- headings has been reviewed:
- Concept of Solid Waste Disposal
- Waste Management Policies and Regulation
- Types of Solid Waste Disposal
- Classification of Solid Waste Disposal
- Methods of Solid Waste Disposal
- Factors Affecting Solid Waste Disposal.
- Health and Environmental Implication of Solid Waste Disposal
- Challenges of Solid Waste Disposal
- Effects of Indiscriminate Solid Waste Disposal
- Roles of Stakeholders
- Solution to Problems of Solid Waste Disposal
Concept of Solid Waste Disposal
The management of solid waste disposal is one of the challenges facing many urban areas in the world where there is an aggregation of human settlements with the potential to produce a large amount of solid waste: the collection, transfer and disposal of that waste has been generally assumed by authorities in the developed world. The format varies, however in most urban areas. Garbage is collected either by a government agency or private contractor, and this constitutes a basic and expected government function in the developed world (Saka, S. 2003).
Aminu-Kano & Lawal (2001) however emphasis that waste could be photodegradable, e.g. (broken down by sunlight after a time, e.g. plastic) or non-bio-degradable, e.g. steel biodegradable (broken down by bacteria on exposure, e.g. organic matter). Examples are household waste, industrial (which often contain toxic chemicals), medical waste (which may contain organism that cause disease), and nuclear waste (which is radioactive). Every human activity generates waste but is the accumulation of wastes that constitute environmental health hazards.
Osinowo (2001) observes that waste generation occurs through domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural and other social activities. Domestically, human activities such as environmental sanitation, food preparation, consumption of packaged foods, laundry, washing of utensil, discharge of unwanted household items or unserviceable household equipment and old furnishing all lead to huge volume of waste. Activities like retailing and distributive trade, small medium and large scale industrial, operations also bring about the generation of both solid and liquid waste. On-farm operation and in-farm gate activities are usually characterized by waste generation; typical examples include timber and wood-processing industry which generate large quantities of waste in form of sawdust and shavings.
Ali (1995) gave the composition of the various wastes that are generated in Nigeria as follows:
Household waste – 85%, Commercial waste 1.6%, Agricultural waste 1.1% Hazardous waste 0.3% and Radioactive waste 0.02%.
Majority of these wastes are quite hazardous. As a result of their chemical, physical and biological characteristics, they confer both long and short term effects on human beings and the environment, hence, the need to think about their proper management. For example savage or faeces is the most hazardous waste generated daily by human. It contains high concentration of pathogens like virus, bacteria, protozoa and helminthes (worms).
Egunjobi T.O (2003), while quoting Feachem et al (2001) observed that one gram of human faeces may contain 10 infectious virus particles, regardless of whether the individual is experiencing any discernible illness. The ingestion of this may result in epidemics of cholera, typhoid fever, amoebic and bacillary dysenteries, round worm and hookworm infections.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This study focus on perceived effect of solid waste disposal techniques on health of residents in Igando. In this chapter the methodology adopted for the study are discuss under the following sub-headings.
- Research Method
- Population of the Study
- Sample and Sampling Techniques
- Research Instrument
- Validity of Instrument
- Reliability of Instrument
- Procedure for Data Collection
- Procedure for Data Analysis
- Pilot Study
Research Method
The descriptive survey research method was used to carry out this study. The methods were considered most appropriate because of its merits in providing wide scope for obtaining information for the purpose of the study.
Population of the Study
The population for this study consists of four (4) Local Community Development Area (LCDA). They are as follows:
- Feyintola
- Banjo
- Ifeoluwa
- Oduduwa
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
Introduction
This chapter is designed to analyses the data obtained from the quest conducted on the effect of solid waste disposal techniques on health status of community residents in Igando Lagos State. A questionnaire was designed and administered among the respondents by the researcher. The statistical tools employed for the analysis include; simple percentage (%) mean (x) standard deviation 0 and Pearson product moment correlation through the use of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). All the statistical analysis was tested at 5% level of significance.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
This study examines the perceived effects of solid waste disposal techniques on health status of residents in Igando.
Summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived effect of solid waste disposal techniques on health status of residents in Igando. The importance of this study however, is to find the effect of solid waste disposal techniques on the health of residents in Igando and to recommend way of improving waste disposal techniques.
Four research questions were raised and four hypotheses were tested on Open Dump, Landfill, Incineration and Recycling method.
Some of the Literatures Reviewed was on Concept of Solid Waste Disposal, waste management of policies and regulation, types of solid waste disposal, method of solid waste disposal, effect of solid waste disposal on health and challenges of solid waste disposal techniques.
The population of this study comprised of (4) four communities LCDA in Igando i.e Ifeoluwa, Banjo, Feyintola and Oduduwa. A total of four hundred and forty six (446) respondents were selected from four communities. In each of the selected communities, 116 were purposively selected and used, within the age range of 18-50 years and using simple random sampling techniques.
A self-structured developed questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire consist of two section, section A and B .section A consist of Sex, Age, Marital Status, type of Apartment, Occupation, Artisan, Size of family and qualification.
Using the Likert scale format section B featured question to establish the level of effect of solid waste disposal techniques on health of residents in Igando. Specific question were asked on Open dump, Landfill, Incineration and Recycling methods of solid waste disposal. Four hundred and sixty four copies of the questionnaire were administered and retrieved immediately so as to avoid loss and damages. The descriptive survey method was used for the study and data analysis was done using the descriptive statistics of simple percentages (%), mean (X), standard deviation (SD)Pearson product moment correlation.
The major limitations to this study were the inability of some of the residents to read and write. However, these were overcome by the researcher with the assistance of two research assistants was able to interpret the questionnaire to the respondents who could neither read nor write.
The findings revealed that majority of the residents of the area represented agreed with 40.9% of the sample have nonchalant attitude towards proper waste management. This is shown through indiscriminate disposal of solid waste by the citizens of the area. There is awareness that open dump method of waste disposal can lead to spread of vectors borne diseases such as malaria and others. It must be pointed out also that majority of the residents with 58.2% agreed that incineration of waste can complicate air pollution which can spread air borne diseases. There is public awareness about the use of the land fill method of waste disposal. The study revealed that majority of the respondents with 36.6% and 19.2% respectively was of opinion that landfill method provides a breeding ground for bacteria that spread diseases. The study shows that majority of the respondents 58.2% agreed that incineration method of solid waste can lead to outbreak of fire which can endanger lives and property.
In the course of the study respondents with 36.6% agreed that recycling techniques can bring about skin disease such as skin irritations and dermatitis. Likewise many of the respondents with 39.7% agreed that carbon monoxide generated by machine for recycling can cause pollution.
It was observed that the improper implementation of environmental sanitation bye-laws and policies of the local government area are the main factors hindering proper waste management in the area. It was also noted that the impact of private sector participation on waste management in the area is commendable.
Conclusion
Improper waste collection, recycling and disposal can create health problems for the members of the public, therefore all stakeholders must tackle these environmental problems for the well being of the general public. It was observed that, there is tendency that people attitude to waste management can be improved upon if the government and waste management agencies in the area can embark on periodic public campaign and other forms of sensitization programs. Waste generation is an integral part of human activities. Hence, all hands must be on deck for proper waste management in the interest of the members of the public.
Recommendations
Based on the findings of this study the following recommendations were made by the researcher as follows:
- Regular waste collection by the Private Sector Participation (PSP) is recommended. This will prevent a situation whereby the residents of the area would accumulate waste illegally to the detriment of the community.
- Public enlightenment program should be embarking upon to educate the citizens of the area on dangers or consequences of indiscriminating waste disposal.
- More sanitary officers should be engaged in facilitating proper monitoring, inspection and regulating of solid waste management in the society.
- Bye-laws should be enacted which will make unlawful or indiscriminate waste disposal a punishable offense.
- Waste recycling factory should be established within the community to comply with waste to wealth policy of the administration.
References
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