Environmental and Public Health Aspects of Solid Waste Management at the Lemna Dumpsite in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is aimed at investigating the level of environmental pollution and the potential impacts of municipal solid wastes on public health. The health risk assessment was determined through a survey of the present facilities used for solid waste management in the metropolis. Waste bins, types of depots, modes of transportation of wastes to disposal sites and methods of disposal were amongst the facilities investigated. The microbiological and physicochemical analysis of decomposing solid waste, leachate, soil, air at dumpsite, stream and Ikot Effanga Mkpa river waters were carried out using standard microbiological procedures. The prevalent bacteria besides fungi isolated from decomposing solid waste, soil, leachate, stream and river water samples were Escherichia coli 55 (13.31%) and 48 (14.33%) Chromobacterium spp 36 (18.18%), Staphylococcus spp 37 (17.70%), Salmonella spp 45(16.85%) and Klebsiella spp (17.06%) respectively. Statistical analysis of the bacterial and fungal counts showed significant difference (p<0.05) between the sources of sampling, months of sampling and seasons of sampling. Decomposing solid wastes followed by soil and leachate had the highest counts at 5% level of probability. The high bacterial counts coupled with these findings are indicative of the possible high risk of microbial infections and a potential destruction of biodiversity from the toxic chemicals of the wastes. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that virtually, most of the parameters determined are above the WHO permissible limits for drinking water. It is recommended that a fit for purpose strategy be developed for waste management with control measures that are health and eco-friendly.