Health Exposure and Environmental Challenges of Households Living Nearby an Open Landfill System in Nigerian Urban Centre

Abstract

Aim: Urbanization and poor town planning have contributed to large waste generation, poor management, and landfill are sited close to the living environment; hence, high health risk. The study assessed households living near open landfills' health-related exposure and environmental challenges. Methods:The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among households living within a radius of 250m (Category A) and 500m (Category) from the landfill based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The survey identified 122 and 137 households, and one adult was randomly selected to represent each household, resulting in 259 respondents (Category A = 122, Category B = 137). Data was collected through a designed questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive (frequency counts and percentage) and Inferential (Chi-square) statistics. Result:The survey outcome revealed that respondents at both radius have health history of sickness such as malaria (42.6%, 42.3%), skin infection/irritation (13.9%, 24.1%), cholera and diarrhea (21.3%, 13.9%), asthma (12.3%, 5.8%), pneumonia (9.8%, 10.2%), and cancer (-, 3.6%). Individuals within both radii of 250-500m had health symptoms such as skin infection/irritation, nausea, and feverish cold; however, eye irritation, sore throat, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were peculiar symptoms with those within a radius of 250 m (category A). The statistical analysis indicated that households within 250m-500m from the landfills faced similar environmental issues such as littering of the environment, air and water pollution, bad odour, smoke from burning, dust, and infestation of diseasecarrying organisms; however, differences in landfill impact on the environment and noise pollution. Conclusion:Households living nearby landfill areas are at higher risk of health and environmental challenges; however, these risk reduces as households stay farther away (far beyond 500 m) from landfill areas.