Increase in healthcare facilities and rapid environmental degradation: A technological paradox in Nigeria’s urban centres

The scenario of waste management in many Nigerian cities has been complicated by the non segregation of healthcare wastes from domestic wastes in many healthcare facilities (HCFs). Incidentally, the healthcare facilities have soared in numbers over a 50 - year period in all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The increase in the number of HCFs in Nigeria’s cities has led to environmental problems largely caused by poor management of generated wastes. At the same time, there has been a resurgence of several sanitation-related diseases in the country. It has thus become a technological paradox as HCFs have being linked with disease epidemics. This paper assessed the current waste handling practices of selected HCFs in a large city which will guide the planners in mitigating the improper practices. Thus, adequate healthcare waste management strategy coupled with training of all waste handlers should be integrated with HCF development at the inception so that the paradox of promoting the spread of diseases and degradation of the environment through increase in number of HCFs can be nipped in the bud.Key words: Environment, healthcare, infrastructure, public health, urbanisation, waste

Nitrate concentration in drinking water supplies in selected communities of Ibadan Southeast local government, Ibadan, Nigeria

Elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water have been associated with adverse health effects. Most susceptible to nitrate toxicity are infants under six months of age and pregnant women. This study assesses the nitrate concentration of 48 randomly selected wells in an urban-slum setting in Ibadan South East Local Government Area (IBSELGA), Nigeria. The coordinates of the wells were mapped with a hand-held Global Positioning System (GPS). The nitrate concentration ranged between 0.00 and 42.80 mgL-1 with a mean of log10 of 0.735 and a geometric mean of 5.43 mgL-1; and 0.00 and 93.30 mgL-1 with a mean of log10 of 0.696 and a geometric mean of 4.97 mg L-1 for the wet and dry seasons, respectively. During the wet season, the levels of nitrate in all the wells were within the WHO permissible limit of 45 mg L-1 NO3. However, during the dry season, few of the wells; six (12.5%) dried up completely. Out of the remaining 42 wells, six (14.3%) had nitrate concentration which exceeded the permissible limit. This same set of wells lacked sanitary features such as lining and cover. Out of the 48 wells, 30 (62.5%) and 24 (50%) were located at ≤10 m from the septic tank/pit latrine and refuse  dumps, respectively. Nitrate maps were developed using Georeferenced data for the water points. The nitrate exceedence map produced showed water sources within the study area with nitrate concentration exceeding the recommended limit and therefore requiring urgent intervention. The results of this study will serve as indicator for determining risk areas with respect to nitrate concentration in drinking water and therefore help in decision making activities.Key words: Global positioning system, Ibadan, nitrate, nitrate exceedence, wells, urban slum

An assessment of the Health and Social Economic implications of satchet water in Ibadan Nigeria: A Public Health challenge

The inadequacy of pipe borne water in Ibadan Metropolis is almost endemic. This inadequacy is both in quantity and quality of the public water supply. As an alternative to the water supply, small scale industrial concerns came up with ‘PURE WATER’: 0.5Litre water in nylon sachets, which are electrically heated, sealed at both ends and widely patronized by both low and middle class Nigerians. The objective of the study was to find out the quality of such pure water. Stratified, simple random sampling procedures were used to select 78 samples from 20 brands of sachet water from important hawkers/vendors. The samples were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis. For chemical analysis, Hanna’s 100 spectrophotometer plus chemical reagents were used. The water samples were assessed for coliform and other intestinal bacteria using MKC cowkery broth (MM) and Brilliant Green Bile Broth (BGBB). Multiple tube method was employed. The result showed that the physical parameters were within W.H.O limits for drinking water quality guidelines except for pH which ranged from 6.6 - 9.7. Some chemical parameters were also within the W.H.O guideline values. However; aluminum which concentration ranged from 0.00 — 0.34 mg/l, fluoride concentration ranged from 0.01 — 1.87 mg/I and cyanide concentration ranged from 0.000 — 0175 were not. Bacteriological analysis, showed that five (5) or 6.4% of the samples tested fielded bacterial growth. Bacteria produced included: Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The enforcement of the regulation guiding water quality before the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) to comply with the drinking water qualities guideline values as recommended by W.H.O, becomes urgent

Assessment of trace metal contamination in a historical freshwater canal (Buckingham Canal), Chennai, India

The present study was done to assess the sources and the major processes controlling the trace metal distribution in sediments of Buckingham Canal. Based on the observed geochemical variations, the sediments are grouped as South Buckingham Canal and North Buckingham Canal sediments (SBC and NBC, respectively). SBC sediments show enrichment in Fe, Ti, Mn, Cr, V, Mo, and As concentrations, while NBC sediments show enrichment in Sn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Hg. The calculated Chemical Index of Alteration and Chemical Index of Weathering values for all the sediments are relatively higher than the North American Shale Composite and Upper Continental Crust but similar to Post-Archaean Average Shale, and suggest a source area with moderate weathering. Overall, SBC sediments are highly enriched in Mo, Zn, Cu, and Hg (geoaccumulation index (Igeo) class 4– 6), whereas NBC sediments are enriched in Sn, Cu,Zn, and Hg (Igeo class 4–6). Cu, Ni, and Cr show higher than Effects-Range Median values and hence the biological adverse effect of these metals is 20%; Zn, which accounts for 50%, in the NBC sediments, has a more biological adverse effect than other metalsfound in these sediments. The calculated Igeo, Enrichment Factor, and Contamination Factor values indicate that Mo, Hg, Sn, Cu, and Zn are highly enriched in the Buckingham Canal sediments, suggesting the rapid urban and industrial development of Chennai MetropolitanCity have negatively influenced on the surrounding aquatic ecosystem

Bio-composting oil palm waste for improvement of soil fertility

Sources of bio-compost as agro-industrial wastes includes wide range of oil palm wastes viz. waste, biomass, palm kernels, empty fruit bunch, mill effluent, trunk and frond compost. Various composting processes are summarized in brief with distinct reference of oil–palm composting covering aerated static pile, and co-composting with earthworms (vermicomposting). However, in-vessel composting and windrow composting has meritorious advantages in composting. This review article refers to various significant roles played by microorganisms associated. Noteworthy study of bio-compost applications and procedures are correspondingly glosses framework of ecological, economical and agro-ecosystemic benefits

Effects Of Domestic Effluent Utilisation On The Blood Characteristics Of Grower Pullets

Two hundred  10- weeks old golden Hubbard grower chickens were randomly assigned to four water treatments: tap water (TW). alum treated domestic sewage (ATDS), secondary treatment domesticsewage (STDS) and raw domestic sewage (RDS). Each treatment was replicated twice with 25 birds per replicate. The trial lasted for 9 weeks. The experimental waters were analysed to determine their quality, water consumption by the chickens in each treatment was measured to assess their acceptability and the effects of water treatments on hematological and serum biochemical constituents over time were evaluated. The sequence of water quality in decreasing order is TW: ATDS, STDS and RDS. The effect of the water treatments on water consumption of the chickens was not significant (p>0.05). The packed cell volume, haemoglobin, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum globulin, serum calcium and serum phosphorus of the birds were not significantly different (p>0.05) at each bleeding throughout the experiment. While the blood constituents evaluated all had values within the normal limits, the concentrations of calcium in the sera of the bird receiving ATDS were slightly lower at weeks 5 and 9. The chickens on any of the treatments suffered no apparent harm. The physiological constitution of the chickens at this stage of growth appears to be able to accommodate the differences in the chemical and physical compositions of the domestic sewage effluents without disrupting the animal health.Keywords: Domestic sewage effluents, blood constituents, grower chickens

Morbidity Pattern among Under-five Children of Market Women in Ibadan

Background: The study was carried out in two large markets in Ibadan, namely: Bodija, a predominantly food market with poor environmental sanitation, and Gbagi, a textile market with a cleaner environment. Objectives: To compare the morbidity patterns among under-five children of traders in both markets. Design: A cross sectional study design was utilized. Patients and Participants: Mothers with under-five children in the two markets. Method: A structured questionnaire was administered to mothers of under-five children in both markets to obtain information about immunization and childhood illnesses among their children. A physical examination was also carried out on each index child. Results: A total of 232 and 219 children were seen in Bodija and Gbagi markets, respectively. Mothers in Gbagi had higher educational attainment than those in Bodija. Mothers' reports of fever, cough and diarrhoea affecting their children indicated a similarity in the prevalence of these symptoms among children in both markets. However, physical examination revealed that the children in Bodija had more signs of morbidity compared to those in Gbagi. The prevalences of anaemia, malaria parasitaemia and ascariasis were 28 percent, 20 percent and eight percent in Bodija, while the corresponding figures for Gbagi were eight percent, 17 percent and two percent (

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Survey of Source-Separation of Solid Wastes among Workers of a Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Source-separation is a solid waste management strategy which aids recycling. This concept is relatively new in Nigeria. The study therefore documented the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Source-separation among workers such as Non- Academic Staff and Business Operators at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted. The non-residential areas of Student Union Building (SUB), Works Department (WD) and Faculty of the Social Sciences (FSS) were purposively selected with 180 business operators at the SUB and 168 Non-Academic Staff at the FSS and WD. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on source-separation. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. Participants’ mean age was 30±8.9 years. Majority of the respondents in the locations SUB (72.6%) compared with WD and FSS (67.2%) had no knowledge of recycling. The attitude towards source separation and recycling especially at the SUB was very poor. At the SUB (94.4%) felt waste recycling was not necessary; compared to WD and FSS (53.0%). The practice of source-separation in all locations was very poor; Majority of the respondents at SUB (97.8%), WD and FSS (91.1%) do not separate their waste. The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about source-separation of wastes were poor. Therefore, advocacy and training are needed to promote the adoption of source-separation in the institution.Keywords: Source-separation, Waste Segregation, Recycling, Solid Waste Management, University of Ibada

Characteristics of Effluent from a Chemical Fertilizer Industry in Southern Nigeria

A study was conducted on the characteristics of effluents emanating from a chemical fertilizer industry in Nigeria with the objective of proffering effective management strategies. A 24hour monitoring of the outfall effluent was carried out. A total of 98 effluent samples from different process streams were collected in addition to 8 samples of the domestic wastewater (sewage), which was also generated in the Plant. Samples collected were analyzed for temperature, pH, DO, TSS, TDS, BOD, Urea, residual chlorine, PO4, NO3, P, K, Fe, and Zn using appropriate standard methods. The flow rate of the effluent was 252 m3/hr. Data from the 24-hour effluent monitoring indicated high values for conductivity (1888.6± 952.2μs) and free ammonia (27.1 ±17.8 mg/l). The results indicated that the Urea and NPK Plants were the most incriminating plants, which contributed immensely to the high pollution loads of the effluent. This resulted in its non-compliance with National guidelines set by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA). Urea Plant produced the highest ammonia level of 1381.3 ± 78.2 and 1479.7± 649.8 mg/l for morning and evening samples while NPK recorded the highest Urea level of 2684.5 ± 1336.6 mg/l and 2726.8 ± 411.4 mg/ l and Zn 4.87 ± 1.76 mg/l and 3.43 ± 1.23 mg/l for both morning and evening samples respectively. Among the effluent channels, the West Drain Before (WDB) recorded the highest level of phosphate (148.6 ± 62.8 mg/l and 202.1± 47.5 mg/l) for both morning and evening samples respectively. The characteristics of the effluent provided a basis for instituting appropriate effluent management by the industry.Key words: Fertilizer Industry, Effluent characteristics, Pollution, Nigeri

Improving knowledge and practices of mitigating green house gas emission through waste recycling in a community, Ibadan, Nigeria

Throughout the world, waste sector has been implicated in significant contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Involving communities in recycling their solid waste would ensure climate change effect mitigation and resilience. This study was carried out to improve waste management practices through a community-led intervention at Kube-Atenda community in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, comprising mixed method of data collection such as semi- structured questionnaire and a life-cycle-based model for calculating greenhouse gas generation potentials of various waste management practices in the area. A systematic random sampling was used to select sixty (60) households for a survey on knowledge, attitude and practices of waste management through Recovery, Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (4Rs) before and after the training intervention. Data collected were summarised using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, t-test and ANOVA at p = 0.05. The mean age of the respondent was 49.7 ± 16.7 and 68.3% were females. Respondents' knowledge scores before and after the intervention were significantly different: 7.07 ± 1.48 and 11.6 ± 1.6 while attitude scores were: 8.2 ± 2.3 and 13.5 ± 0.8. There were significant differences in the major waste disposal practices in the community before and after the intervention. All (100%) the participants were willing to participate in waste recycling business and the model predicted that adoption of 4Rs strategy had a great potential in saving greenhouse gas emissions in the community. The behaviour of the community people has changed towards waste management that promote climate change mitigation and adaptation through waste reduction, reuse, and resource recovery