PERCEIVED HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL WASTE DUMPSITE IN OGUNPA AND APATA COMMUNITIES, IBADAN OYO STATE

Abstract

Globally, about 20 to 50 million tons of electronics and other techno-wastes are dumped in developing countries. Nigeria imports several tons of electronic and electrical second hand computers per month, three quarters of which cannot be re-used leading to various health problems. Although, there is vast information on the impact of e-waste on public health, not much has been documented on the health risks associated with electronic waste dumpsite especially in Nigeria. This study, therefore assessed perceived health risks as with e-waste dumpsite in Ogunpa and Ekotedo communities in lbadan, Oyo State. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected 215 residents of Ogunpa (community around e-waste dumpsite) and Apata (community around mixed waste dumpsite). The respondents were residents within 30 meters radius of the dumpsites. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude and perceived health effects in relation to waste dumpsites. Twenty-two groundwater samples within 10-meters from the waste dumpsites were collected to determine the presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) using AAS and the values obtained were compared with WHO guideline limit for portable water. Blood samples were also collected from 25% of the respondents at Ogunpa and Apata to determine the blood lead level. A socio-demographic and community survey of the communities was also carried out using an observational checklist. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, t-test and logistic regression at p=0.05. Ages of respondents from Ogunpa and Apata were 41.7 ±15.0 and 35.9 ± 13.1 years respectively. Majority of respondents from Ogunpa 106 (62.4%) and Apata 87 (56.1%) had inadequate knowledge on health risks associated with electronic wastes. A significant relationship was observed in the attitude of respondent from Ogunpa 84 (39.1%) and Apata 119 (55.9%) towards electronic waste dumpsite (OR = 0.5; C.I: 0.1- 0.8). Most of respondents from Ogunpa (83.0%) than Apata (16.7%) reported intestinal disorders as the most common health problem. Mean Cd level in groundwater samples collected from Ogunpa (0.019 ± 0.010mg/l) was higher than samples collected from Apata (0.012± 0.006mg/l) compared to WHO guideline of 0.003mg/l for portable water. Similarly, the mean Pb concentration in groundwater samples collected from Ogunpa (0.05± 0.02mg/l) was higher than samples collected from Apata (0.04 ± 0.018mg/l) compared to the WHO guideline limit of 0.01mg/l. Mean concentration of blood Pb in respondents from Ogunpa (1.52mg/l) was found to be higher than blood Pb in respondents from Apata (1.19mg/l) p<0.05. Knowledge on health risks associated with electronic wastes dumpsites was found to be inadequate among respondents. The high concentration of cadmium and lead observed groundwater samples from Ogunpa could have contributed to the intestinal disorders reported by majority of the respondents. Awareness programmes on indiscriminate disposal of electronic wastes is therefore recommended.