Risk factors associated with women's involvement in waste management practice: Focus on Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Women constitute the bulk of the workface engaged in the collection, conveyance and disposal of waste in Abia State. While performing this important assignment, these workers, some whom are young and economically-active, get in constant touch with materials that, threaten their health As well as the entire family well being. Considering women's domestic and productive roles, their regular contact with filth and other materials containing chemicals in high enough concentration to ham humans, animals and vegetation portends danger for humanity. This should be of great concern to government as well as non-governmental health agencies. This study X-rayed waste and its component; identified specific hazardous effect of women's involvement in waste disposal; and assessed the safety regulations and devices that are in place for the protection of the workers. Findings indicate that the workers were conscious of the dangers inherent in their involvement in waste management. The study recommends several risk reduction and coping strategies including environmental sanitation education, ecological vigilance and recycling of waste.

Keywords: Ecological Vigilance, Waste recycling, Industrials effluent Sanitation Education

Journal of Environmental Extension Vol. 6 2007: pp. 79-85