In Nigeria, Landfill remains the simplest and the most commonly used method for disposing municipal solid waste, and this typically involves pitching refuse into a depression or closed mining site. In Lagos, Nigeria, some of these open pits are located near residential housing and therefore represent a threat to human health and the environment. At these sites, solid wastes are disposed of in a manner that does not protect the environment, are susceptible to open burning, and are exposed to the elements, vectors, and scavengers.

These methods of disposing dumps in Nigeria has become obsolete and historical in the developed countries. Sanitary landfills which are well- engineered facilities (with liners, leachate collection/ treatment system, and gas collection system) are now used to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. These modern landfills are regulated under strict federal and state regulations and are therefore specially sited, designed, operated, monitored, closed, and cared for after closure to ensure environmental performance. However, it is different in Nigeria, where the unsanitary landfills are not subject to strict regulations, and are usually sited for convenience, such as the presence of a pre-existing hole (created from sand mining activities) into which waste could be deposited.

1. Odour Nuisance: The landfills in Nigeria lack gas collection systems and as a result the landfill gas produced is discharged freely into the air. One of the concerns related to uncontrolled landfill gas emissions is their unpleasant odour. These odours can migrate to the surrounding environment, and can lower the quality of life for individuals that live near landfills. Many people may find the odours emitted from a landfill offensive or unpleasant. In reaction to the odours, some people may experience nausea or headaches.

2. Spread of Diseases by Vermin: The abundant food, the coverage as well as the high temperatures at landfills attract vermin such as birds, rats or rodents, as well as numerous species of insects (flies and mosquitoes) which are potential transmitters of serious illnesses and diseases. Insect/mosquito breeding in stagnant water pools on waste sites and in canals and scrap tyres which are reservoirs of rain water can result in the spread of disease to site workers, waste pickers and neighbouring residents.

3. Landfill fire: The environment is threatened by landfill fires through the toxic pollutants emitted into the air, water, and soil. They also pose a risk to firefighters and residents who are exposed to the hazardous chemical compounds they emit. Of particular concern are long smouldering fires that tend to smoulder for weeks to months at a time. This can cause a build up of the by-products of combustion in confined areas such as landfill site buildings and surrounding homes, which adds an additional health hazard. Burning tyres emit dioxins, which can cause cancer and reproductive impairment at extremely low levels.

                  CONCLUSION 

The Municipal Solid Waste landfills in Nigeria, will continue to represent a threat to the surrounding residential housing including nearby hospitals for many years, if actions are not taken now. It is necessary to identify the hazards they pose, assess the risks from exposure to them and eliminate or reduce such risks to as low as reasonably practicable. This article seeks to create awareness for strict policies to be put in place, in order to promote modern and sustainable waste management practices, by making it a high priority to ensure the protection of public health and the local environment.

                    References

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