Environmental and Health Impact of Solid Waste Disposal in Umuahia and Environs, Southeast, Nigeria

Abstract

Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste in dumpsites located within urban areas has proved to be a problem to nearby residents in most developing cities of the world, Umuahia is no exception. Open dumps have environmental safeguards; they can pose major public health threats and environmental effects in urban cities. Therefore, this paper presents the findings of a research carried out in Umuahia municipal area in Abia State to determine the environmental and health impacts of solid waste disposal at Umuahia gate, Upstair line, Ahia Eke, New Timber gate, Government College first gate, etc dumpsites on the surrounding human settlements and markets. Data were collected from nearby dumpsite household residents less than 30 m and far away household residents greater than 30 m through interviews and personal observations were used to collect some of the data. Descriptive statistics involving tables, graphs and figures were used to present and analyze the data. The educational level of respondents of nearby residents (NBR) ranges from 53.00 to 205.00 with total of 398 and far away residents (FAR) are between 53.00 and 110.00 with total of 233.00. The percentage for primary level, high education and not education is 39.60%, 16.80% and 43.60% respectively. The disposal methods used by respondents ranges from 35.00 to 128.00 with percentage between 9.00 to 32.00 for NBR and 23.00 to 85.00 with 10.00% to 36.00% for FAR. Results show that both NBR and FAR suffered from related diseases such as malaria, chest pains, diarrhea and cholera, due to the location of the dumpsite closer to their settlements.

Keywords: Environment; Health; Solid Waste Disposal; Dumpsite