The Effects and Management of Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Disposal on Human Health in Serrekunda Market (Commercial Center), Kanifing Municipality, The Gambia ()
1. Introduction
In recent decades, population increase and technological advancement have been increasing in a rapid scale of urbanization. Rapid population growth in the urban, has resulted in several significant in land deterioration, challenges on infrastructure and level of municipality, fast industrial growth, factory growth and living standard in the community have accelerated solid waste production rates in developing countries like the Gambia. Nowadays, more than fifty percent (>50%) population in the whole world lives in urban areas, fifty percent less (<50%) lived in the rural areas, that by 2050 estimate, it will increase to sixty-six percent (66%) or more population that will live in the urban center; the population of the world is expected to exponentially increase to two and half billion urban population dwellers, according to United Nations (2014) [1]. With regards to speed rate of growth, population increase in the urban area has proceeded to various land deterioration, infrastructure and developmental difficult tasks regarding waste municipality efficient management. The level of population increase in flourishing economy, fast urbanization growth rate, increases the standard of living greatly in this community, which has significantly accelerated in a developing country like the Gambia. According to Ma and Hipel (2016) [2], solid waste municipality increases in quantity and composition in the whole world. Wastes are unwanted, unusable materials by-products that are not voidable to human activity, also as a substance that has no use. Waste has different sources, for example domestic wastes are the type of waste generated in our homes and surroundings. It could be either garbage or rubbish. Garbage wastes are the kind of solid waste that can decompose easily, they are sometimes moist and they are from organic constituents; examples are fruits and vegetables. Refuse or rubbish wastes are dry form of solid waste from the inorganic constituent; examples are paper, nylon bags, shoes etc. Another source of waste is from our poultry farms known as Agricultural wastes, which are organic wastes as well because they are gotten from our birds and animals; examples are birds droppings and cow dungs. Wastes also have their sources from the markets, schools and offices as municipal solid wastes. The industrial wastes are the type of waste that have their source of generation from the industries and factories examples are plastics, electronics such as refrigerators, television sets, radios, mobile phones, fans etc. The rise of living standard in the economic development has brought about increase in the complication of waste quantity generated in the environment, while industrial diversification, provision of health care facilities has added strong quantities of hazardous waste which poses potentially severe environmental health problems. Waste is also substances which are no longer useful after the process of completion of usage with regards to its reuse and recycle approaches. It also refers to the useless byproduct activities of human that contain physically the same composition of substance when recycled. Waste materials are also those materials that people would want to dispose of even if payments are required for their disposal. The eye of the beholder depends on what constitutes waste. Although, production of waste can be in form of physical process, the way in which these wastes are created affects human psychologically. In the United States of America, waste professionals, use different terms in municipal solid waste such as sludge, sewage, rubbish and trash, sludge is a mixture of a non-flowing liquid and sewage waste is discharged from our residential environment [3] [4]. Waste management is an important element of environmental protection. The strategic ways of treatment of liquid and gaseous waste, give a wide range of answers to a distinct physical object that is not classified as rubbish. The whole approaches and method go down to reprocessing of organic waste material into valuable resources. Recent changes in our environment are very important to all households. With regards to waste disposal, it refers to the needed state of being active from inception to waste ultimate disposal. Waste collection, transportation, disposal and treatment collectively, cover the guidance, rules and regulations of waste disposal framework. Basically, there are eight methods of waste management; each is split into numerous parts in a pyramidal form. Waste Management is also seen as excellent and efficient way of managing waste. All actions carried out in waste separation into reusable resources by reusing and regulating littering to avoidance, prevention, and reduction possibly, recycling the waste to control environmental degradation and health hazards in the community and the materials put in place to ensure proper residual disposal which promotes health, personal hygienes and sanitation in the schools and the communities. Protection motivation theory (PMT), according to Rogers (1983) [5], is related to the perceived attitude and awareness towards the hazards waste caused through improper disposal and management among residents close to Serrekunda market municipality, perceived severity of threatened, for example offensive smell attacks generated, from the solid waste in the form of gaseous waste such as Carbon dioxide (CO2), Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOX) and methane gas (CH4) effects in the atmosphere causing climate change, leading to global warming and depletion of ozone layer. According to PMT, interpretation version in 1983 was a means of understanding. The reason while people should respond to potential threats to their health and safety. Also point towards people and factors in the environmental, both in support or loss of confidence for involving in protective behavioral effects of those resolved representatives of people cognitive reasoning. The domain reasoning’s are said to be different from directly assumed connection of fear on protective response. Till now, conception is being applied vastly illustrates individuals related protective health behaviors. Protective precautionary measures, motives wearing sunscreen to prevent Skin Irritation, Cancer, Nose Mask, Hand gloves, Eye Goggle, Safety Helmet, Safety Boot etc. have received substantial empirical support by Rogers [6] and Milne et al. [7]. Protection Motivation Model, explained the components of the model and Environmental information sources, including intrapersonal factors that give individual suggestions regarding risk and vulnerability, threat to risk, and vulnerable victims witness direct observations and knowledge relates to individual’s gathered knowledge may control ones perceptions of willingness to use protective measures, that will not lead to criminology act in the market environment. Regarding sources of information, Rogers itemizes two categories of information sources, as personal source of information and intrapersonal information. Prior to experiences, personal variables are put forward an idea for people to think about the vulnerable victims in waste pollution and the protective mechanism for the control and management such offensive smell threats in the market area. In Serrekunda market, the pollution rate is both the inside and the outside market metropolis. The carbonated empty canned drinks and empty plastics in addition to cellophanes contributed to the blockage of different drainage system due to poor and improper management. With respect to dividends, both the inside and outside the market environment may encourage or discourage the concerned people, to involve in attitudes that may expose them to the potential dangers or not, some of the people also think about the threat factor carefully about their concerns staying in such environment. Improper waste disposal management also affects the respiratory organs of the body due to smoke generated from it during incineration as one of its management. The perceived occurrence of market municipal solid waste will continue in the Gambia because building of recycling factory is under probability. This is because African countries most especially the Gambia don’t make a sustainable plan on waste management approach for the betterment of future generation to be benefited from because Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance (5P) of waste management, as such people in this market area perceived vulnerable difficulties in respiration resulting to other breathing challenges like Asthma, Bronchitis, Silicosis etc. Perceived self-efficacy response, threat appraisal process and coping appraisal process are the factors to be considered.
2. Methods of Study
2.1. Description of the Area
Serrekunda town, at the Commercial Centre (Market Municipality), has Latitude 13˚26'17''N and Longitude 16˚40'41''W. The Serrekunda town is in the Gambia, it is one of the largest town, and its name was derived from the Sayer family’ hence the name (Sayer Kunda). Serrekunda has population of 390,000 people, 13 km away from the city, Banjul. Serrekunda comprises nine different towns together, collectively form its Local Government Area. Serrekunda Town is bounded and congested with craft and motorist. It is the busiest and most commercial center of the west coast zone in the Gambia, that is, one of the largest geographically, most climatically conducive zones and most economically significant in the Gambia. Recently, Serrekunda city is serving as a meeting place for numerous activities and events. These combined approaching activities have their own economic and ecological importance of the town, that attracts more people from different areas and locations of the country, is what made Serrekunda town to be very popular in the Gambia.
2.2. Study Design
This research is designed based on the qualitative research approach on the effects of Solid Waste Municipality generation Disposal on human health and its management in Market Municipality. A descriptive survey research design is adopted with the use of questionnaire for the purpose of this study. According to Nachmais and Frankfort-Nachmais (2008) [8], descriptive research design is programmed to be meeting the guidance of the researcher in terms of collecting, observing, analyzing and interpreting the nature and process of the research.
2.3. Study Population
Study population consists of both males and females between the ages of 25 - 40 years. Two hundred and twenty (220) clients were selected in Commercial Centre (Market Municipality). There are both literate and illiterate persons, staying in research station where these wastes are improperly disposed.
2.4. Sample and Sampling Techniques
Systematic sampling techniques will be employ and used randomly for the purpose of this study. Two hundred and twenty (220) persons were targeted for the population that will be used for this study, to represent the total population of respondents of both male and female residents, residing in commercial centre (market municipality) where wastes are been disposed.
2.5. Data Collection Tool (Research Instrument)
The instrument used in this study is questionnaire; this questionnaire is divided into sections, namely Section A and Section B. Section A is a representative for bio-data information and section B is meant for responses used in answering the research questions as: Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Strongly Disagree (SD) and Disagree (D).
2.6. Data Collection Technique
Questions were asked from the participants in order to be able to carry out the study. In collecting the data, questionnaire was administered and interpreted in the terms and languages best understood by the participants. Accordingly, Ogbeibu (2014) [9], having known a probability confidence level (C.L) 95% and probability sampling error 5%, small letter “n” is the sample size and it is determined by the big letter “N” as the total number of household wastes generated for disposal. A suitable Sample survey for collecting primary data is employed for this study; however, arranged questionnaire is used for household’s municipality wastes. Observations and interviews are also employed to collect complementary data.
2.7. Analysis of Data
This research employs a simple statistical percent and correlation factor measurement used to characterize the respondents’ responses. All analysis was computed using descriptive software of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to characterize analyzed data representation in the form of tables, graphs and charts.
2.8. Validity of the Study
Validity of the study is the degree of what a test measures and what it is designed to measure. The questionnaire was formulated by the researcher and edited by the supervisor in the department, in the school of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (SAES) and the corrections formed my final draft of the questionnaire.
2.9. Methods of Data Analysis
This research will employ simple percentage for the analysis of this study. The calculation used is shown below for further expression.
Percentage (%) = Total number of outcome (N) Divided by the total of Sample (F) multiply by 100 where F = frequency of the response,
N = Number of response,
% = Percentage.
3. Results
This study was conducted on the effects and hazards associated with market municipality waste disposal and management in the Environment on human health. Data obtained was tested and analyzed from the questionnaire administered to resident in using simple percentage method. The response achieved in this study was quite okay and two hundred and twenty (220) questionnaires administered were all filled and retrieved from respondents.
3.1. Data Analysis
Table 1 shows all the data analysis on the effects and hazards associated with waste Disposal on Human Health and its management in Serrekunda market municipality.
All values are expressed as mean, N = 220, percentage (%), Probability Confidence Level (C.L), 95%, Probability error, 0.05%.
3.2. Test of Hypothesis
Null Hypothesis (HO): There is no significant difference between perceived vulnerability of residents in Serrekunda market municipality waste disposal management.
Using t-test, at 0.05 level of significance at degree of freedom (d f), 24 in two tails, the Critical value (Tabulated value) and calculated value is compared and conclusion is drawn, calculated t-test value is written as (tcal).
That is,
Since the calculated value 0.64 is slightly less than the critical (tabulated) value 2.064, Null Hypothesis (HO) is therefore accepted at (P > 0.05) with slight difference, under non-parametric condition.
It can therefore, be concluded that there is no significant difference in the market waste municipality level of management from the responses of the respondents (P > 0.05), that is the calculated t-value is slightly close to the tabulated t-value (0.64 ≠ 2.064) with a close difference of 1.42 which makes it insignificant.
4. Discussion
In the table above, item 1 and 2, from the data collected from the respondents, the analysis showed on the awareness of how one can protect oneself against any hazard of waste in the market municipality, an average number of 32.5 and 68.5 represents an average percent of 14.8% and 31.2% of agreed response and I am capable of taking recommended protective measures when necessary compared to disagree average percent of response of 35.3% and 18.9%. The percentage of 54.2% disagreed of respondents was recorded higher than the agreed percent response of 46%. This was similar with the work done in Robe town, in Ethiopia by United Nation (2014). With regards to awareness, households do not have awareness training methods on how to handle solid wastes, this makes them not to be satisfied with the current condition of municipal solid waste management.
Item 3 and 4 from the table showed an average agreed response value of 47, representing 21.4% of nobody in this area has been hospitalized due to any of the illness associated with improper disposal of waste against disagreeing response of 28.7% while item 4 showed mean response of 52 agreed with 23.7% while the disagree response was 26.4% on I do not think that any of those hazards associated with waste disposal can affect me. The average percent of agreed is less than that of disagreed from respondents response.
Item 5 and 6 had mean population response and percentage value of 82.5%, 37.5% agreed on if affected, I know how to treat myself and if affected, I know where to treat myself. The population response of mean agreed 90.5 with a percentage average of 41.2% against disagreed response of 12.5% and 8.9% respectively. The agreed percentage value in item 5 & 6 is higher than that of disagreed. Both responses of the respondents in the Serrekunda market municipality waste disposal were not satisfied, because is not that treats themselves that survived it especially with carcinogenicity effects.
Item 7 and 8, in Table 1, had 81 respondents representing average percentage rate value of 36.8% agreed, 29 respondents representing average disagree percentage rate of 13.2% on if affected, I knew when to treat myself. Item number 8 in Table 1, showed 29.5 respondents, 13.5% of agreed that I am aware that staying close to dumpsite, I am exposing myself to respiratory track diseases such as asthma, sclerosis with disagree response of 36.5%. Study had shown a similar work done that had high percent according to Cheru (2010) [10] which revealed that, Dassie town in Ethiopia, about 76% of solid waste produced in the city, was not disposed accordingly and this will bring about different health challenges. This study showed that above 55% respondents; discard solid wastes illegally into the environment most especially in market area. The marketers and the council lacked attitudinal innovation commitment and environmental sanitization.
Item 9, 10, 11 and 12 showed the total respondents average percent population of agreed rates of 23.9%, 21.4%, 35% and 37.8% respectively on the awareness of staying close to disposal dumpsite in market waste municipality and management, I am exposing myself to liver dysfunction, difficulties in breathing, skin irritation and greater risk against disagreed average percentage rate of 26.2%, 28.7%, 15% and 12.3% respectively. Most respiratory health challenges people faced around the Serrekunda market Centre is due to the de-channelization and blocking of drainage system by the marketers and Serrekunda residents. This forced running water in the form of sewerage flood to make the whole market environment to be flooded with, as well as polluting the air, water and soil. The combination of these affects the inspiration of the market environment in the town which also poses problems and health challenges.
Item 13 and 14 shows the population of respondents for both agreed and disagreed responses, the average percentage rate of 20.7% and 28.7%. Disagree average percentage rate of 29.3%, 21.45% with total respondents population of respectively. This study shows that in Serrekunda market, 49.2% of marketers are not satisfied with the solid waste disposal management and 50.8% of households are dissatisfied with the recent state of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) practice in Serrekunda commercial center.
Item 15 and 16 in Table 1, shows some significant variation in the respondents responses in the average population rate of agreed response as well as disagreed mean responses on I have what it takes to prevent myself from being affected, am I aware that staying close to waste dumpsite, I am prone to exposing myself to offensive odor that causes air pollution. The percentage rates of agreed and disagree averages are 25% for agreed and 25% for disagreed; both are insignificant and 41.2% and 8.9% with a significant difference.
Item 17 and 18, a population respondents of 43 representing average percentage rate of 19.6% for agreed, and population of 67 respondents had percentage rate of 30.5% respectively for average disagreed rate. Furthermore, a total population of 31.5 responses and an average percentage mean agreed of 14.3% against 35.7%. There is a significant difference in both population response and the percentage rates of both items, the percentage rate of disagreed is recorded higher than that of agreed as shown above. This implies that the improper way of waste disposal is deteriorating the Environment.
Item 19, 20, 21 and 22 respondents population and average percentage rates for agreed and disagreed are as follows 46.4%, 20.5%, 23.75% and 41.2% against disagreed average rate of 3.7%, 29.4%, 26.4%, and 8.9% respectively. Both average agreed and disagreed rates showed significant difference in their comparison, the agreed average percentage rate of item 19 is higher than the disagreed percentage rate. In item 20 and 21, the agreed average percentage rate was recorded lower than disagreed percentage rate respectively, and item 22 agreed average percentage rate recorded higher than that of disagree. The percentage increase rate may be due to open dumped waste.
Item 23, 24, and 25 are for respondents’ total population responses and percentage rates for mean values of both agreed and disagreed. The average rate of agreed is 20.7%, 10%, 41.2% respectively against disagreed average rate of 29.4%, 40%, and 8.9% respectively. There is a significant difference as disagreed percentage rate recorded the lowest while the highest was observed in the average agreed rate; we had 40.2% as shown below. Both items 23 & 24 recorded lower percentage rate of agreed against disagreed, but item 25 recorded average rate of agreed higher than disagreed.
5. Summary
Summarily, this research has made me expose other related environmental departments in the country that their objective is just theoretical and paper work without focusing on the sustainability of the people and the healthy environment for future generation to come, to the Gambia government; this is because the country is for all of us. The study is only centered on market and the respondents’ response that looks like this, sincerely speaking, if opportunity and time frame is given to focus on all the commercial centers in the country, the next ten years (10 yrs) to come. That is by 2040, this country will turn into a sinkhole because of different environmental pollution that is generated daily in the market centers. Generally, at the biochemical level of improper waste disposal management, the toxic effects of waste caused by excess concentration of heavy metal include sites competition with essential metabolite, replacement of essential ions, damage to cell membrane and reaction with phosphate groups [11]. It is recommended that awareness on the dangers of using waste dumpsites as a site for selling water, edible fruits and vegetables, should be discontinued in order to avert the health effects of consuming crops sold in the market place that are contaminated with heavy metals.
6. Recommendations
Base on this research finding, the following recommendations are considered:
1) Low waste generation and proper management of waste disposal, minimize the environmental pollution, and ecofriendly environment is achieved.
2) Phytoremediation in the dumpsite and non-dumpsite act as a new age of environmental waste disposal management that will bring and encourage sustainable waste management.
3) Government should also encourage every individual living in the Gambia on the benefits of planting trees which bring about Green Belt Movement (GBM) that also help in reduction of gaseous substances that causes climate change and global warming.
4) Modern renewable waste disposal strategy should also be embarked and adopted.
5) Sustainable waste disposal and management should be practiced among all individuals in order to heal the Earth from emission.
7. Conclusion
Conclusively, awareness should be given to the public and marketers. This study also showed that all the physical, chemical and biological parameters generated from this waste dumped in the market municipality, and in the Gambia, showed that there is no proper care and hygiene environment as recommended by combined team of environmental and public health officers compared to World Health Organization acceptable standard.
Acknowledgements
I acknowledged School in Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, other staff in the University of The Gambia (UTG) for their support in one way or the other. I also acknowledged my statistical mentor, Professor T.O.T. Imoobe, other lecturers and students in the Department of Animal and Environmental Biology who in one way or the other contributed to facilitating the completion of this work.
Funding
There is no funding or grant by any organization or funding agency both in not-for-profit, profit or the public for this study.
Availability of Data and Materials
The data used to support the findings of this study are available upon request from the authors.
Authors’ Contributions
All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.