A Review of the Health Implications of Solid Waste Disposal Systems

Abstract

This paper reviews the health implications of solid waste disposal systems in Trans Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted in the study. 400 questionnaires were administered through stratified random sampling but only 381 respondents in the study area completed their questionnaires.  Chi square statistical method was used to test the null hypothesis (H₀) which states that the level of health problems together with the poor conditions of water is not significantly related to the solid waste disposal system in Trans Amadi area. Secondary and primary sources of data were used as means of getting information used for the purpose of the research work. Questionnaire administration, personal interview and physical observation were used for gathering of primary data. The result of the test showed a calculated value of 1.66 while the Chi square table read 0.103 at a 0.95 level of significance. From the calculation, the calculated value was greater than the table value. It was deduced from the findings that the level of health problems together with the poor conditions of water is significantly related to the solid waste disposal system in Trans Amadi area. It is recommended that Government should provide refuse receptacles in large quantity and place them at interval of not more than 200m apart in both residential and commercial area. Government should establish waste recovery facility for effective management of solid waste. Solid waste management should be an integral part of government’s business in order to convert waste to wealth through recycling, recovery and re-use. Effective public education on waste disposal should be introduced through mass media, seminar, workshop and mobile awareness programme. Mobile courts should also be established to try offenders of indiscriminate refuse dumping and if found guilty, the offender should be fined a relatively substantial amount and, monthly environmental sanitation should be re-introduced and enforced.

Keywords: Disposal system, Environmental education, Public health, Sustainable development, Waste management