Health Implications of Airborne Pollutants from Inefficient Urban Waste Management Systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajmsi.v5i1.5870Keywords:
Airborne Pollutants, Health Implications, Urban Waste, Volatile Organic Compounds, Waste ManagementAbstract
The objective of the current study was to determine the health effects of inefficient urban waste management systems, including open dumps and open-air burnings, on inhabitants residing within 1 km of dump yards/sheds in an urban setting. A mixed-methods methodology was used with field measurements, secondary data, and a health impact assessment to study the relationship between pollutants released from inadequately treated urban wastewater systems and the health impact. Results showed extremely high concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5: 112.8 µg/m³; PM10: 210.3 µg/m³), nitrogen oxides (73.5 µg/m³), sulfur dioxide (58.6 µg/m³) and carbon monoxide (4.1 ppm) in the burning locality. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in exposure air particulates were found to exceed the WHO identified threshold levels, and the hazard quotient profiles indicated potential non-carcinogenic risks with considerable contributions from both cadmium and arsenic. Benzene-type and Toluene-type VOCs were also higher than normal, with benzene over the safety standard. We found in our health surveys cases of dumpsite and burning area residents who had significantly higher prevalences of several respiratory symptoms, including chronic cough (39.5%), wheezing/asthma (34.1%), bronchitis (21.6%), and shortness of breath (36.3%) as well as hypertension (31.4%), and heart disease (18.7%) compared with control populations. Mortality and hospitalization estimates provided additional evidence of health burden, with the highest risk occurring near burning sites (78 deaths and 165 hospitalizations per 100,000 population). The study of innovative waste-to-energy technologies and their influence on diminishing air pollutants through novel waste management approaches may provide useful information for urban planners and policy developers to counteract the health effects of urban waste pollution.
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