In the recent years, the pollution of the environment by heavy metals has become a crucial problem across the world. Heavy metals consist of a group of metals and metalloids which have atomic density greater than 4000 kg m-3. Heavy metals such as Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb) are present in the biota. These metals are also known as trace elements which play a very important role in various metabolic processes of plants, animals and microorganisms. Heavy metals may gain entrance into the human body through consumption of contaminated drinking water or ingestion of soil or crops grown on contaminated land. Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and copper are collective poisons, which causes environmental hazards and are reported to be exceptionally toxic. These metals are important sources of oxidative stress in the cell and play an important role in a etiology of diverse human pathologies such as carcinogenesis. Exposure to heavy metal toxicity leads to brain damage, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, lung cancer, gastrointestinal abnormalities, dermatitis and death of the unborn fetus. Many metals have been shown to directly modify and/or damage DNA by forming DNA adducts that induce chromosomal breaks. The unrestricted access to the dumpsite means that each day, scavengers search for raw materials, much of which eventually finds its way back to neighborhoods as animal feed and even human food. Stray chicken, pigs, goats, dogs and cats roam the dumpsite eating the toxic matter and becoming vectors of pests and parasites that are eventually transferred to the surrounding home and hence causing diseases to both animals and human beings.
Over the years, there has been an increase in the rate of environmental pollution due to improper disposal and management of dumpsite waste. Leachate being generated as a result of the moisture associated within dumpsite, amount to contain various microbial pathogens and hazardous substance like cyanides, heavy metals and other chemicals acquired from the dumpsite. This can serve as a risk factor to the environment and public health when there is leachate migration. The migration of leachate into the environment potentially results in the contamination of soil, food products, animals, ground water, surface water and the air environment’ which in turn affect the health of human especially those who consumes from the contaminated products, those who inhabits around the dumpsite and other vulnerable like; young children, waste workers and immunocompromised persons. In Nigeria, though there are municipal waste dumpsites across the nation, these sites are below standard and are not properly managed. Being a great concern to the society, the need for proper design and reconstruction of a well-engineered landfill cannot be over emphasized, among others. This paper will therefore review the environmental and public health implication of dumpsite leachate so as to create more awareness on the need for proper waste management in Nigeria. It concludes by recommending some proper means of waste disposal and management which could be considered for a better health and environment in Nigeria.
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