Introduction to the Dandora Municipal Waste dumping site
Why is Dandora Municipal Waste a concern? Kenya’s Dandora Municipal Waste dump site came about when the city set out to refill an old quarry. The site has no restrictions, and therefore all types of waste, industrial, medical, agricultural, and domestic end up there. It is the dumping location for most waste in Nairobi. It thus serves as a starting point for understanding the growing concerns on health and sanitation problems facing the growing region. This is because of the neighborhoods surrounding it, such as Korogocho, Dandora, among many others, which are homes to over a million people. The Nairobi River also passes by the dumpsite. Every day, tonnes of waste is dumped on the site. It has led to people linking key health issues in the region to be caused by the dumping of toxic waste.
Environmental pollution & Impacts of Exposure
What threats does the dumpsite pose to the environment and the people? The dumpsite poses a danger to the environment as it is a source of pollutants. Visible impacts include air pollution, fires, land degradation, and waste overflow. It also contributes significantly to global warming, soil contamination, water pollution, and reduced ecological connectivity. Heavy metal elements occur in high concentrations in contaminated environments such as the dumpsite. The elements are released into the environment from burning or smelting metal. The element seep slowly into the soil and water and therefore affecting the productivity of the land. The dumpsite is a health and safety concern issue since not all waste decomposes. Metals and harmful substances pollute the water, and the smoke from burning waste pollutes the air and therefore poisoning people through contact, ingestion, and inhalation. The organic waste is not safer either as they accumulate and can be swept into the river or affect fish, which later pose a risk to the people.
The study findings
What were the results of the study? The studies done confirm high concentrations of lead and mercury in the soil as well as the river. The figures are well above the levels acceptable by WHO. Other elements, such as cadmium, copper, chromium, and zinc in the soil samples also exceeded the recommended standard levels. The dumpsite exposes the residents around it to high levels of pollutants that lead to serious health problems. Most of the children and adolescents living in such places have respiratory ailments form toxic gases when waste is burned, skin disorders, and other fatal disorders directly attributed to waste pollution. Further, the levels of lead in the blood of children living in Dandora and Korogocho are much higher than those living in other areas.
My view of the research assessment and study
What are my views on the research assessment and study? The study addresses how the proximity Dandora dumpsite has affected the population around it as well as the environment. It south to establish the link between environmental pollution and public health in an urban setting. Over the years, people have grown more aware of the environment and its effects on health and, thus, increasing concerns worldwide. It is estimated that a quarter of the diseases people have today occur due to prolonged exposure to environmental pollution. Nairobi is the headquarters for the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP), and the study would be useful in developing strategies to combat the issue by finding better ways to dispose of the waste, conserve the environment and protect the health of the people.