Assessment of municipal opened landfill and its impact on environmental and human health in central Thailand

Abstract

Purpose: Non-sanitary landfill or open dumping stored both non-hazardous and hazardous waste disposed from households, restaurants, agricultural activities, and industrial sectors that could contaminated to the environment. This study aimed to assess the environmental status and its impact of opened solid waste landfill located nearby agriculture and natural resources in municipal area of central Thailand. Methods & Materials: Soil and water samples were collected from six locations of landfill and surrounding areas such as paddy field and water reservoir at two-month interval for six consecutive months. Heavy metal contamination and quality of soil and water including physical, chemical, biological parameters were analyzed by using standard methods. Agricultural activities of the land nearby the landfill and practice behavior of workers in the landfill have been observed. Results: We found Salmonella spp. and Clostridium perfringens contaminated in soil samples collected from both inside and outside of landfill. Heavy metals such as Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg) and Aluminum (Al) were found in high level, additionally, contamination of Copper (Cu) in soil collected inside the landfill was presented. Water collected from leachate and natural resource was contaminated by coliform bacteria and Salmonella spp. Level of Fe in all water samples was high, however this amount was not above limited value. Inappropriate self-protective and non-hygienic behavior of workers in the landfill was also found. Conclusion: Soil and water samples collected from the opened landfill were contaminated with bacteria. Occupational hazard, protective awareness and protective measure of people who exposed to the landfill such as garbage collectors and farmers should be concerned. Level of heavy metals in soil and water, especially in paddy fields around the landfill should be periodically monitored.