ABSTRACT
Wastes have major impact on the environmental quality both nationally and globally. The waste produced could be hazardous in nature. The aim of this research is to assess the solid waste management of tyre waste, and the potential hazard it comes with. The study employed questionnaire administration and in-depth interview instruments. The industries for this study were possessively selected namely, Sunseed industries, Premier Seed Company, Olam Nigeria Limited and Nalmaco Industry. A total of 398 respondents ‘within the industrial zone were sampled in order to get information on the effect the waste has on them. Due to the effects of the waste a high proportion of respondents (46.2%) migrated out of the community because of the health implication the waste has on them. Based on the findings, it is recommended, that a technically based personnel should be used to handle industrial hazardous wastes. Industries need to receive authorization from Lagos State Protection Agency (KEPA) before disposing any hazardous waste and setting up of recycling plant within the industries to enhance recycling.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Solid wastes comprise all the wastes arising from human and animal activities that are normally solid,discarded as useless or unwanted.
Also included are by- products of process lines or materials that may be required by law to be disposed of (Okecha 2000). Solid wastes can be classified in a number of ways, on the basis of sources, environmental risks, utility and physical property. On the basis of source, solid wastes are again classified as: Municipal Solid Wastes, Industrial Solid Wastes and Agricultural Solid Wastes.
Improper solid waste disposal and management causes all types of pollution: air, soil, and water in the environment. Indiscriminate dumping of wastes contaminates surface and ground water supplies. In urban areas, solid waste clogs drains, creating stagnant water for insect breeding and floods during rainy seasons. Uncontrolled burning of solid waste and improper incineration contributes significantly to urban air pollution currently witnessed in most urban cities in Nigeria. Greenhouse gases are generated from the decomposition of organic wastes in landfills, and untreated leachate pollutes surrounding soil and water bodies. Health and safety issues also arise from improper solid waste management. Insect and rodent vectors are attracted to the waste and can spread diseases such as cholera and dengue fever.
Using water polluted by solid waste for bathing, food irrigation and drinking water can also expose individuals to disease organisms and other contaminants. The U.S. Public environmental Service identified 22 human diseases that are linked to the lack of effective care of the environment as a result of improper solid wastes management. Solid waste workers and pickers in developing countries are seldom-protected from direct contact and injury, and the co-disposal of hazardous and medical wastes with solid waste poses serious health threat.
Exhaust fumes from waste collection vehicles, dust stemming from disposal practices and the open burning of waste also contribute to overall health problems. People know that poor sanitation affects their health, especially in developing and low-income countries, where the people are the most willing to pay for environmental improvements (Rathi, 2006; Sharholy et al, 2005; Ray et al., 2005; Jha et al., 2003;