Solid Waste Management Practices and Health Risks Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils Within Public Healthcare Facilities in Abeokuta, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed solid healthcare (SHC) waste management practices and levels of heavy metals in soils within four public healthcare facilities in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Walkthrough observation and one-on-one interviews were used to elicit information on waste management practices. Topsoils of waste storage areas were collected and analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. SHC general waste is often burnt and buried at the general hospitals while licensed private operators collect it at the Clinics and Specialist hospitals. The Specialist Hospitals generate the highest weight of all the waste categories and in the order; general > infectious > sharps > pathological > pharmaceutical, with the clinic having the highest rate of waste generated/patient (0.8kg/day). Heavy metal concentration (mg/kg) ranges are 5321.46 – 9356.49 (Fe), 96.72 – 314.49 (Zn) and 8.58 – 20.77 (Cr), with an indication of potential non-carcinogenic risks for all exposure routes for both adults and children. Mixed storage of all waste types is still being practised in some healthcare facilities, which portends the risk of infection transmission and environmental pollution. Hence, there is a need to improve the segregation and special handling of SHCW to avoid environmental contamination and negative health-related impacts.