ABSTRACT
The study will concentrate on the effects of Refuse disposal on individual’s health and: a case study of Aba Community dump site, Abia state. The dumping of solid waste at the dumpsite, studies have shown, leads to numerous environmental challenges. It has been shown that currently, the government and previously, the City Council have not sustainably managed the large quantities of solid waste thus attracting other actors such as waste collection companies, community based organizations, resident associations and youth groups to offer support in alleviating the problem. This study showed that the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste at Aba Community Dumpsite affects negatively the environment of the area comprising of roads, drainages, water and sewerage systems, electricity connections and premises. It also contributes to poor human health. The goal was to analyze whether Refuse disposal near estates destroys environments, degrades the environment and endangers human health. The case study was based on Aba Community Dumpsite in Abia state. In an attempt to define this goal, the study was guided by the following other objectives: To find out if dumping of solid wastes at Aba Community Dumpsite causes destruction of environments such as roads and to find out whether the existence of the dumpsite has human heath challenges. The Hypothesis for these study were; H0: There is minimal relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on environment at Aba Community. H1: There is a big relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on environment at Aba Community. H0: There is minimal relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on human health at Aba Community. H1: There is a big relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on human health at Aba Community. Due to the nature of the target population in Aba Community, the researcher used simple random and purposive sampling methods; the former allows for random selection of samples from the population, while the latter is a sampling technique that allows the use of cases/persons that have the required information with respect to the objectives of the study (Mugenda and Mugenda, 2003). Field data will be obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary sources of data refer to the firsthand information sources such as households, offices, businesses and institutions who volunteered information to the researchers on request. 120 respondents who were interviewed. Secondary sources of data refer to such information sources as books, journals, newspapers and other secondary materials. Both SPSS and Excel spreadsheet softwares were used for the analysis. After obtaining the raw data set, it was sorted, edited, cleaned and coded. The open-ended questions were manually analyzed by grouping responses into similar themes, tallying them and obtaining frequencies by using excel spreadsheet.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study area
Improper solid waste management (SWM) leads to negative environmental impacts such as pollution of air, soil and water; generation of greenhouse gases and health and safety problems. County governments charged with the responsibility of providing solid waste management services have found it increasingly difficult to play this role. The difficulty has been aggravated by lack of effective legislation, inadequate funds and services, and inability of county governments to provide the cost-effective services. Changing lifestyles such as use of canned soft drinks, mobile phones and disposable diapers (movement towards a “consumer society” in general), moreover, poses special waste management challenges. Generally, waste management systems in developing countries are incapable of frequent adjustment to match these lifestyle changes.
Cities in both developed and developing countries generally do not spend more than 0.5 per cent of their per capita gross national product (GNP) on urban waste services, which covers only about one-third of overall cost (World Bank, 1999). The responsibility over solid waste collection and disposal is thus well beyond the capacity of county governments. More than 80 per cent of the total waste management costs in low-income countries are collection costs (World Bank, 1999). In Latin America, for example, the cost of waste collection is about 46 per cent of the total municipal solid waste management cost. Cost recovery in SWM service is difficult because, even though there is some willingness to pay for waste collection services, there is little such willingness for waste disposal.
Traditionally, therefore, county governments have financed the services through general revenues or attempted to charge for the service through inefficient property tax. Owing to the existence of willingness to pay, however, private provision of waste collection services has potential. In addition, limited economies of scale and ease of entry and exit in waste collection imply that competition can keep the price of the private service competitive. The upshot is that an increasing proportion of urban dwellers in developing countries, particularly the urban poor, will lack access to county solid waste management services and, consequently, suffer from pollution-related environmental and health problems.
The gases from the dumpsite corrode the iron sheets leading to lowered value of property and frequent repairs. The gases also cause the paints on the walls and roofs to peel off faster. The owners of the houses, schools, churches, mosques and recreational centers are forced to repair their premises frequently.
The trucks that transport the solid wastes to the dumpsite are so heavy such that they cause destruction to the roads leading to the dumpsite. As the trucks are transporting the wastes to the dumpsite, some solid wastes are dropped on the roadside. These droppings block the trenches which cause flooding on the roads and within the estates during the rain season. The heavy trucks and tractor used to move the solid wastes at the dumpsite occasionally cut the water pipes and electricity poles thus causing water shortage and blackouts in the estates near the dumpsite. The gases and fumes produced from the solid waste dumpsite cause respiratory diseases. The dumpsites are also habitat to rodents other insects which cause and spread diseases. They also attract stray animals to the site.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
Globally, most countries face difficulties in managing solid waste. These difficulties vary from reducing generation of waste, separation, change of social behavior, collection, transport, treatment, reuse, disposal of waste and inadequate legislation. UNEP (2005) sees the challenges as different for different levels of industrial development. Most developing countries pay inadequate attention to solid waste management as to achieve economic development. According to a study carried out by Ngoc and Schniter (2009) they argue that increasing population hanging consumption patterns, changing income, converting earnings; urbanization, industrialization expanded generation of waste.
Refuse disposal causes soil pollution, floor and ground water pollutants, air pollution, degradation of the first-rate of property around dumpsites and blocking off of environment main to flooding. They also lead to respiratory diseases as a result of gas emissions from the dumpsite. Solid waste dumpsites are hiding places for criminals which make the area insecure.
In Nigeria, the challenge of solid waste management is real (Kungu 2011).Solid waste management systems are inefficient and disposal systems are not environmentally friendly. 30 to 40 per cent of all solid waste generated in urban areas is uncollected and less than 50 per cent of the population is served (Otieno, 2010). Lot of areas and nations, wide and worldwide goals were set for municipal robust waste utilization lowland (Ali, 2008). In order meet the targets of reliable solid waste management its important to have information and set right strategies. It is therefore, important to examine the nature and quality of generated waste in order to contribute to improvement actions at the supply. This will only be dispensed through public consciousness on waste segregation from the supply.
Solid waste dumpsites are a source of livelihoods for the poor in urban centers who collect some wastes for sale to the reuse and recycling companies. The solid wastes are increasing in large quantities which require a lot of land for disposal. It is a deliberate and visionary commitment that the county intends to take in the administration of solidness waste in an action oriented.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The goal was to analyze whether Refuse disposal near estates degrades the environment and endangers human health. The case study was based on Aba Community Dumpsite in Abia state. In an attempt to define this goal, the study was guided by the following other objectives:
i. To find out if dumping of solid wastes at Aba Community Dumpsite causes destruction of environments such as roads.
ii. To find out whether the existence of the dumpsite has human heath challenges.
1.4 Hypotheses of the Study
The hypotheses for this study were four as indicated below:
H0: There is minimal relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on environment at Aba Community.
H1: There is a big relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on environment at Aba Community.
H0: There is minimal relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on human health at Aba Community.
H1: There is a big relationship amid Refuse disposal and negative effects on human health at Aba Community.
1.5 Significance of the Study
Literature review showed that various aspects of Refuse disposal effects have been researched on, however, this study sought to combine four pertinent effects which are common in local urban centers even at the global level. The issues of poor environment and deterioration of human health hence the need for sustainable solutions. Nigeria, being a developing country has seen a rise in solid waste production with antecedent poor management. If this persist then the populace is in danger. That is why this study is important.
All human activities generate waste which calls for to be properly managed to defend human health and the surroundings. The want for proper and efficient waste control is extra stated in urban settlements where huge quantities of waste are generated inside a very small place and in a short time span. The influences of stable waste if no longer properly controlled inside the city settlements particularly towns and big municipalities may be disastrous. A developing hobby in Abia state calls for a movement to decrease this trouble of solid waste management.
That solid waste management in major cities of the third world countries is a serious challenge that cannot be overemphasized. Waste production rather seems to out-weigh disposal by far. This has led to deterioration of the quality of the surrounding environment for most people. Despite most cities having fully fledged departments to cope with waste control, loads more attempt desires to be installed place. There may be want for extra investment to equip these departments to have the potential of kind and quantity of strong waste produced every day.
Institutions such as the country wide surroundings management Authority (NEMA) in collaboration with the counties want to do much more to educate the citizens in waste control. This will best be possible whilst joint research are achieved a good way to very own the technique. The harmonization of county by means of-laws and NEMA guidelines can also move a long manner in ensuring that the populace knows what needs to be done. The need to fill the gaps in the policy system calls for a unity in study and utilization of research programs to meet the intended goal of sustainable waste management. The new government structures particularly the county government and the existence of the central government also brings the need to harmonize the existing policies and responsibilities to adequately manage the environment.
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