Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., VOL 2, ISSUE 2, pp: 191-197
(ISSN: 2455-1716)
Impact Factor 2.4
MARCH-2016
Research Article (Open access)
Heavy Metal Pollution of the Environment by Dumpsites: A Case of Kadhodeki Dumpsite Joan M. Njagi1*, Daniel N. Akunga1, Martin M. Njagi2 , Mathew P. Ngugi2, Eliud M.N. Njagi2 1
Department of Environmental and Population Health, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya 2
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
ABSTRACT- Dumpsites exist throughout the developing countries present a threat to human health for the next several years; this is because most of these countries follow the practice of open dumping of solid wastes. Most of these dumping sites are uncontrolled and years old, having grown over time from small dumps to large, unmanaged waste sites. Municipal waste, which is the most common source of the waste which ends up at the dumpsites, has been shown to contain heavy metals which are leached out from the sites into the soil and water. This constitutes serious health and environmental concerns because of the effects on the host soils, crops, animal and human health. This research determined the level of heavy metals in the soil and water samples collected around Kadhodeki dumpsite. Heavy metal determination from samples collected was carried out using X- ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical technique. The data was subjected to statistical tests of significance using ANOVA and post hoc analysis by Tukeys test (P<0.05). The research found that V, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Hg concentrations in the soil were higher than maximum allowable levels (MAL) for agricultural soils while Fe, Zn levels were within the limits. The water was contaminated by higher levels of Mn (366-856 µg/l) and Fe (5132-12402 µg/l) than allowed in drinking water while the level of Zn (40-336 µg/l) was below the World Health Organization limits. Since subsistence farming was observed in the study area, then the study recommends that the farmers growing edible crops around the site should be advised to stop doing so and instead be encouraged to grow other crops that can provide some income and at the same time reclaim the land.
Key words: Dumpsites, Heavy metals, Contaminated soil, Contaminated water -------------------------------------------------IJLSSR-----------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION The last three decades have seen a worldwide concern over
Very many old landfills and dumpsites exist throughout
the health effects caused by contamination and or pollution
developing countries, most them uncontrolled having
of the environment. This is seen as result of the increase in
grown over time from small dumps to large, unmanaged
diseases burden all over the world. Most of the diseases
waste sites, with significant environmental and health risks.
that are as a result of environmental contamination are not
[3-5]
easily diagnosed and are detected later in life. [1-2]
Poor waste management strategies are a threat to the health
*
of those living in the cities, especially those residing near
Address for Correspondence:
Dr. Joan M. Njagi
the dumpsites because of dangers posed by water, soil, air, vegetation and
Lecturer
food contamination. Pollution of water
Department of Environmental and Population Health
bodies with heavy metals from variety of sources is
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
becoming a matter of global concern because many water
Received: 18 Jan 2016/Revised: 03 Feb 2016/Accepted: 22 Feb 2016
resources have been rendered hazardous to man and other
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