An Assessment of Solid Waste Composition and Management in Agbor and Its Implication on Human Health

Abstract

The study assessed solid waste composition and how it is being managed in relation to health implications in Agbor, a nordal town in Delta State Nigeria. Survey design was used and both primary and secondary data were collected through stratified sampling technique. Solid waste management practices of respondents were generated through the use of six hundred and twenty five (625) copies of questionnaires in 8 sampling unit. The hospital report on malaria and typhoid were obtained from the medical records of central hospital, Agbor covering 1997-2011, and the solid waste composition was obtained through waste characterization and measurement. The data on solid waste management and composition were from the sanitary records of the Local Government Council, and private waste firm in Agbor called Total Resource Management Limited. The study results show 34.14% were traders, 22.14% were civil servants, 14.34% were farmers, and 29.38% were business men and women. The waste generated is 1594.11 kilogram. This shows that the total respondents of five thousand generated 1594.11 kilogram of solid waste daily. Baleke area has the highest rate of waste generated which was 223.43 kilogram; followed by Dr. Whyte area which generated 214.46 kilogram of solid waste daily. Edike area generated the highest amount of solid waste in the entire sampled areas, having 180.34 kilogram of solid waste generated daily. Food items were the greatest amount generated daily, with 1135.21 kilograms per day. Eighty five percent (85%) of malaria cases and 98.6% of typhoid cases in Agbor was consequent on solid waste composition. To enhance effectiveness in solid waste management in Agbor, the Local Government Authority should subsidize the amount of money paid for the services of private waste managers. The promulgation of punishable laws on the indiscriminate dumping of solid waste will help avoid the dumping of waste waterfront at road side and street drains.