Assessment of the Environmental and Health Effects of Solid Waste Disposal at Ikhueniro Dumpsite in Ikhueniro Community of Uhunmwode LGA, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Compared to those in developed countries, residents in developing countries like Nigeria, especially the urban poor in Benin City, are more severely impacted by unsustainably managed waste. In low-income countries (such as Nigeria), over 90% of waste is often disposed of in unregulated dumps or openly burned. These practices create serious health, safety, and environmental consequences. Thus, there are growing concerns about the effects of indiscriminate disposal of solid waste on the environment and human health. In this study, a cross-sectional descriptive survey method was adopted. Data were collected from household residents close to the dumpsite (250m-far away) via questionnaires and interviews. The data were then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Version 26.0). Four hundred and twenty (420) semi-structured questionnaires (210 for nearby and faraway residents, respectively) were administered to household residents in Ikhueniro Community. Four hundred and three (201 nearby and 202 faraway) copies were retrieved and thus analyzed. Results revealed that both nearby and faraway residents were affected by the location of the dumpsite closer to their settlements. However, the residents close to the dumpsite were more affected than those far away from the dumpsite. The environment was polluted as the residents suffered issues like offensive odors and smoke. And this impacted their health due to the fact that the residents were victims of various diseases such as malaria, typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, and cough. It was observed that the solid waste disposal methods used by residents (both nearby and far away) were very unsatisfactory, and this may probably be due to a lack of knowledge on solid waste management options. It was deduced from this study that waste disposed at the dumpsite has an effect on the environment and health of household residents in the community, and as such, it is recommended that operators of the dumpsite (Edo State Waste Management Board) adopt alternative waste management options (eco-friendly options) and educate residents on them so that gradually the dumpsite can be closed.