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International Journal of Environmental Studies
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Challenges of waste management in a Nigerian leper colony
A. O. Coker ab; R. A. Adeshiyan a; J. R. Oluremi a; M. K. Sridhar c; M. E. Coker d; C. A. Booth b; J. M. Khatib b a Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, b School of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK c Division of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, d Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
To cite this Article Coker, A. O., Adeshiyan, R. A., Oluremi, J. R., Sridhar, M. K., Coker, M. E., Booth, C. A. and Khatib, J.
M.(2008) 'Challenges of waste management in a Nigerian leper colony', International Journal of Environmental Studies, 65: 2, 177 — 189 To link to this Article: DOI: 10.1080/00207230701831202 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207230701831202
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International Journal of Environmental Studies, Vol. 65, No. 2, April 2008, 177–189
Challenges of waste management in a Nigerian leper colony A.O. COKER*†¶, R.A. ADESHIYAN†, J.R. OLUREMI†, M.K. SRIDHAR‡, M.E. COKER§, C.A. BOOTH¶ AND J.M. KHATIB¶ †Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology; ‡Division of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health; §Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria; ¶School of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1SB, UK Downloaded By: [Adigun, Kosemani] At: 18:30 11 March 2010
Taylor and Francis GENV_A_283243.sgm
(Received 28 November 2007) International 10.1080/00207230701831202 0020-7233 Original 0Taylor 00
[email protected] A.Coker 2008 00000&Article Francis (print)/1029-0400 Journal of Environmental (online) Studies
Quantities and types of solid wastes generated at Ogbomosho leprosarium (Oyo State, Nigeria) have been investigated. Data collection, through waste sampling and analysis, interviews, questionnaire surveys and field observations, was conducted between August and November 2006. Results indicate a notably low mean waste generation rate of 241.5 g/h/d, which included bandages, paper, food waste, animal waste, wood ash, yard trimmings, amongst others. There is no national policy on waste handling. Domestic waste is mixed with biomedical waste without sorting. Moreover, waste-handlers deal with waste materials by hand and without protective clothing or gloves, which needlessly exposes them to greater health risks. Similarly, primitive hygiene facilities (e.g. pit latrines, plus inadequate and intermittent water supplies) constitute a health risk to patients, staff and visitors. Recommendations include i) provision of separate waste receptacles at generation points to facilitate proper sorting and segregation; ii) adequate training and protective clothing for waste handlers; and iii) national and international action for leprosy patients housed in these ‘out of sight, out of mind’ communes. Keywords: Leprosarium; Institutional management; Medical waste; Public health; Funding and investment
Introduction Prior to acceptance of ideas such as those in Agenda-21 [1], there was a widespread lack of concern with issues of recycling. Nowadays, avenues of reducing waste and recycling are explored before unwanted items are sentenced to landfill. Before final disposal of different waste types (e.g. domestic, industrial, commercial and institutional) alternative approaches to their collection, storage and disposal may be required. For instance, directives for handling and disposal of biohazard waste (e.g. medical) are notably different to those for household waste (e.g. paper and packaging). However, unless segregation occurs at source, recycling is limited and sometimes impossible. Without formal direction, landfill waste is needlessly increased and can pose public health problems and unwanted environmental degradation. *Corresponding author. Email:
[email protected] International Journal of Environmental Studies ISSN 0020-7233 print: ISSN 1029-0400 online © 2008 Taylor & Francis http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals DOI: 10.1080/00207230701831202
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Leprosy has been documented since ancient times, appearing in Egyptian papyrus (written ∼1550 BC). It is a chronic, mildly contagious, but curable disease transmitted by respiratory droplets during close and regular contact with untreated cases. If untreated, there can be progressive and permanent damage to the skin and nerves of the limbs, eyes and nose. The causative microorganism, Mycobacterium Leprae, was first observed (in 1872) by the Norwegian physician, Dr Armauer Hansen; hence the alternative common name, Hansen’s disease [2]. Originally thought to be a hereditary disease, during the European Middle Ages (500–1500 AD), leprosy sufferers were once made to wear special clothing and ring a bell to warn others of their approach. Even in modern times, leprosy sufferers were isolated in separate hospitals and colonies (Leprosaria). Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) eliminating leprosy (prevalence rate of
