ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF THE TAMALE LANDFILL SITE EIGHT YEARS AFTER ITS OPERATIONS

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in urban growth in Ghana has in tandem been accompanied with increased in waste generation. This phenomenon has a telling effect on the quantum of solid waste generated and disposed. The method in which solid waste is disposed can create environmental health problems. This study investigates the environmental health effects of the Tamale Landfill Site eight years after its operation. Methods: The descriptive cross sectional study design was employed for this survey. Two areas were delineated for the study: residential houses within a 500 metre radius of the landfill site and areas more than 500 metres. The purposive, disproportionate stratified random and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 384 households, 16 scavengers and some key respondents for the study. Interviews, questionnaires, field observation and focus group discussions were the methods used to collect the data. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 16 to process the quantitative data into percentages and tables while the qualitative data was reviewed to draw out themes in relation to the study. Results: The results from the study revealed that domestic waste constitutes the highest component of waste generated in the Metropolis. Seventy-two percent of respondents near the TLS and 67.1 % farther off generated domestic waste. A majority of respondents near the TLS (74.7%) and farther (91.5%) do not segregate their waste. This is also not practised by management of the landfill. Waste products received at the landfill site include organic substances, paper, plastics, metal, textiles, inert materials, hospital waste, human excreta, carcasses and feotuses. A majority of respondents and scavengers from the nearby community complained about the proximity of the facility to their residences which generates odour, breeds predators and insects, dust, litter and smoke. Observations and responses also indicate that the fence of the TLS is damaged which allows free access to the site. Some of the problems which also impede the smooth operation of the facility are inadequate funds for daily operations, lack of key personnel, and a non-functional weighbridge which lead to infrequent covering 'of waste which in tum creates litter, dust and odour .e and generates leachate as well as disease carrying vectors. Hospital waste is also not well managed on site. The predominant diseases amongst respondents near the TLS are: respiratory illnesses (64.1 %), skin diseases (62%), diarrhoea (66%), malaria (100%), congenital malformation (10.9%), stillbirths (13%) and animal bites (43.8%) while for the scavengers on site were: respiratory illnesses (43.8%), skin diseases (68.8%), diarrhoea (62.5%), malaria (100%) and animal bites (62.5%). It was also realised that those in the urban community fall less sick as compared to the group living near the TLS. Conclusion: The study concludes that solid waste at the TLS is not well managed thereby creating poor conditions which generates a lot of nuisances ranging from choking smoke, putrefying odour, • dust, leachate, litter, easy access, poor management of hospital waste and breeding places for insects and other pests. The repercussions are the high incidence of malaria, diarrhoea, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, stillbirths and animal bites. The Government and MMDAs should in future ensure that landfills be constructed more than 500 metres away from human settlements.