Open AccessDhaka landfill waste practices: addressing urban pollution and health hazards
Author(s) -
Salma Akter Urme,
Marzuka Ahmad Radia,
Rafiul Alam,
Mohammed Uzzal Chowdhury,
Shahriar Hasan,
Shakil Ahmed,
Hasna Hena Sara,
Mohammed Syful Islam,
Delufa Tuz Jerin,
Prianka Sultana Hema,
M Z Rahman,
Alisha Islam,
Mehedi Hasan,
Zahidul Quayyum
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
buildings and cities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2632-6655
DOI - 10.5334/bc.108
Subject(s) - environmental planning , leachate , checklist , municipal solid waste , incineration , environmental science , environmental health , environmental resource management , waste management , engineering , medicine , psychology , cognitive psychology
Two Dhaka, Bangladesh, landfills are explored to understand how management practices impact environmental quality and public health in the surrounding areas. A combination of research methods is used, such as geospatial buffer zone analysis, semi-structured observation checklist and qualitative interviews, to gain an understanding of the waste transportation, leachate percolation, and adverse health and environmental effects. A multi-ring buffer zone and ground truth method were applied through ArcMap for the spatial distribution of landfill-adjacent environmental features. Qualitative interviews were conducted with landfill officials and nearby residents. Findings reveal that landfills are situated very close to residential areas, water bodies and agricultural lands, exposing them to various health and environmental hazards. Improper solid waste management practices of the landfills cause adverse environmental effects by leachate percolation, waste incineration and vector breeding. Adjacent dwellers suffer from bronchial diseases, pneumonia, diarrhoea, itching problems, headache and appetite loss. The existing solid waste management system requires managerial and technical modifications to reduce the associated environmental pollution and health hazards.