Environmental and Health Impact of Household Wastes on Communities of Lagos Lagoon

Lacustrine, a coastal community where residents live on water bodies is gradually becoming a major menace to public health due to its highly deplorable living conditions. The water bodies have become the community waste sites. It is therefore, important to evaluate the impact of waste disposal on marine water quality of lacustrine communities and its pertinent effect on environment and health conditions of residents in Ago Egun community in Ilaje Bariga, Lagos. The study design is field and laboratory-based with distribution of copies of questionnaire to 150 housing units. The questionnaire, translated to the local language (Yoruba), was distributed to residents that had been in the community for over two years. Information sought for included the social and demographic characteristics of the respondents, knowledge, attitude, and practices towards environmental health issues, type of material used to build the house, roofing sheet, number of occupants per house, per room, toilet and cooking facilities, with the mode of waste disposal. Quantitative survey revealed that nearly all the houses (85.7%) are built on the lagoon; while 50% of the houses are made of wooden sheets and corrugated iron sheets. Ninety-seven percent (97.0%) of the household solid wastes generated are dumped into the lagoon. No adequate fecal disposal. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, _ Ec, BOD, Temp, Cl , NO , etc.) of the water in the community were 3 evaluated to assess the level of pollution by domestic/household waste as well as its effect on marine lives. When compared with WHO standard, it was found polluted with chloride (833.2 – 3653.5) and TDS (7700.0 – 9288.0) due to the waste disposed within the lagoon. The results revealed gradual pollution of the water bodies due to indiscriminate waste disposal. A major awareness programme should be set up for the community such that inhabitants gain an understanding of how indiscriminate waste disposal can be detrimental to health