Impact of Solid Waste Dumping Site on Environment and Public Health in Sargodha City

Abstract

The waste generated from houses, industries and different commercial activities are considered as municipal solid waste. In most of the developing countries especially Pakistan municipal solid waste are not handled properly and are thrown on open places without using proper treatment. This research is conducted to identify the municipal solid waste disposal sites and to compare the health problems between the people residing near dumping sites and the people living 8km away from these sites. A sample size of 60 household was taken out of which 30household were selected from the surrounding of waste place and 30household far away from waste site at the distance of (8) km.  Data for health problem were collected through questionnaire, interview and also testing  the concentration of pH, EC, TDS, Ni, Cu, Cr, Cd in the ground water sample collected from the waste disposal place. The result showed that diseases like skin and eye irritation, continuous fever (malaria, Typhoid),/cough, diarrhea, Infant less weight, stomach problem, heart problem and hepatitis are common in those people who are residing close to waste site as compared to far away residents. The quality of water near waste disposal site is also not good for drinking because the  level of heavy metal selected for study like Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Copper are high than WHO permissible value except copper and as a result source of many water borne diseases. The study concluded that these sites should be established away from the residing areas and should be managed properly.