Open Access Article Education

Environmental And Health Implications of Waste Disposal Sites In The Lesotho Lowlands

Mamello Motaung (1), Hester Roberts (2), Pakiso Makhoahle (3)
(1) Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, South Africa,
(2) Center of Applied Food Security and Biotechnology, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, South Africa,
(3) Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, South Africa
https://doi.org/10.36923/ijsser.v6i2.270

Article Sidebar

Issue
Vol. 6 No. 2 (2024): Continue
Submitted
September 5, 2024
Published
November 1, 2024
Keywords:
    Lesotho urban councils, Waste Disposal, Waste Burning, Dumpsites, Environment Impacts, Health Impacts, Social Impacts
Download PDF

Abstract

Many Southern African countries, including Lesotho, face severe health and environmental issues attributed to waste disposal. The purpose of this study is to assessed the environmental and health impacts on residents living in proximity to disposal sites in the lowlands of Lesotho. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, using a semi-structured questionnaire and observation method. A mapping device was used, and photographs were taken to validate the findings. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test (?²) were employed to analyze the data. Results indicate that in Lesotho, some landfill sites are located as close as 50 meters from residential areas, and most (60%) received hazardous mixed waste streams. Waste burning and backyard dumping were the most frequently used disposal methods by residents. Several perceived health outcomes and environmental issues were noted, with respiratory and gastrointestinal health issues being the most prevalent. There was a statistically significant association between waste burning and respiratory diseases (P < 0.010) and between backyard dumping and gastrointestinal diseases (P < 0.003). The study concludes that regulatory instruments need to be revised and enforced, requiring hazardous waste producers to take responsibility for end-of-life waste and banning the entry of such waste into disposal sites. The application of waste management strategies to initiate other preferable end-of-life waste procedures, such as recycling of WEEE and waste-to-energy technologies for organic waste in Lesotho, could improve the quality of health for residents and their environment.

Full text article

Generated from XML file

References

Abubakar, I. R., Maniruzzaman, K. M., Dano, U. L., Al-Shihri, F. S., AlShammari, M. S., Ahmed, S. M., Ghahem Al-Gehlani, W. A., & Alrawa, T. I. (2022). Environmental sustainability impacts of solid waste management practices in the Global South. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12717). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912717

Abunama, T., Othman, F., Alslaibi, T., & Abualqumboz, M. (2017). Quantifying the generated and percolated leachate through a landfill's lining system in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 26(6), 2455-2461. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/73803

Akinrogunde, O. O., Akinola, O. O., Adeyemi, T. S., Oginni, O. E., Akande, F. S., & Idris, I. A. (2019). The socio-economic and environmental implications of a residential building in proximate distance to a landfill site: A case study of Olusosun landfill, Ojota Lagos. Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 9(6), 99-115. https://doi.org/10.7176/JEES

Amugsi, D. A., Haregu, T. N., & Mberu, B. U. (2019). Levels and determinants of perceived health risks from solid wastes among communities living near dumpsites in Kenya. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 1369-1619. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2019.1597834

Aydamo, A. A., Gari, S. R., & Mereta, S. T. (2023). Access to drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene facilities in the peri-urban and informal settlements of Hosanna town, Southern Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights, 17, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302231193604

Babs-Shomoye, F., & Kabir, R. (2016). Health effects of solid waste disposal at a dump site on the surrounding human settlements. Journal of Public Health in Developing Countries, 2(3), 268-275.

Cassim, L., & Du Plessis. (2021). The postgraduate toolkit: A peer-reviewed electronic textbook and multimedia resource. Layla Cassim ERS Consultants CC, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Cervantes, D. E. T., Martinez, A. L., & Hernandez, M. C. (2018). Using indicators as a tool to evaluate municipal solid waste management: A critical review. Waste Management, 80, 51-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2018.08.046

Chenene, L. M. L. (2020). The relationship between household generated waste in rural and urban Lesotho: An investigation (Master's thesis). University of Free State, South Africa.

Cline, C., Anshassi, M., Laux, S., & Townsend, T. G. (2020). Characterizing municipal solid waste component densities for use in landfill air space estimates. Waste Management & Research, 38, 673-679. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X19895324

Danthurebandara, M., Van Passel, S., Tielemans, Y., & Van Acker, K. (2013). Environmental and socio-economic impacts of landfills. Linnaeus ECOTEC, 26(28), 40-52.

Das, A. (2021). Aiming for a tuberculosis-free India: Perspective of a highly endemic Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 9, 69-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2020.07.001

Eldridge, J. (2015). Reliability, validity, and trustworthiness. In Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Etea, T., Girma, E., & Mamo, K. (2021). Risk perceptions and experiences of residents living nearby municipal solid waste open dumpsite in Ginch town, Ethiopia: A qualitative study. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 14, 2035-2044. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S309295

Ezeah, C., & Roberts, C. (2012). Analysis of barriers and success factors affecting the adoption of sustainable management of municipal solid waste in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 103(9), 9-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.02.027

Fadhullah, W., Imran, N. I. N., Ismail, S. N. S., Jaafar, M. H., & Abdullah, H. (2022). Household solid waste management practices and perceptions among residents in the East Coast of Malaysia. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-12274-7

Godfrey, L., Ahmed, M. T., Gebremedhin, K. G., Katima, J. H. Y., Oelofse, S., Osinbajo, O., Richter, U. H., & Yonli, A. H. (2019). Solid waste management in Africa: Governance failure or development opportunity? IntechOpen. http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86974

Government of Lesotho. (2016). Infection control and waste management plan (ICWMP) Vol. 1. SFG1928 V1. Ministry of Health, Maseru, Lesotho.

Government of Lesotho. (2018). Lesotho nutrition and health system strengthening project (LNHSSP) - environmental and social management framework (ESMF). Ministry of Health, Maseru, Lesotho.

Gwibi, P., Kotelo, T., & Selimo, M. J. (2020). Heavy metal concentrations in sediments and Cyprinus cario from Maqalika Reservoir - Maseru, Lesotho: An analysis of potential health risks to fish consumers. Toxicology Reports, 7, 475-479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2020.03.005

Harrison-Obi, C. N. (2019). Environmental impact of life tyre (ETL) or scrap tyre waste pollution and the need for sustainable waste tyre disposal and transformation in Nigeria. NAUJILJ, 10(2), 60-70.

Kumar, M., & Prakash, V. (2020). A review on solid waste: Its impact on air and water quality. Journal of Pollution Effects and Control, 8(252).

Lesotho News Agency. (2017). Rubbish dumping dejects residents. Lesotho News Agency, Maseru, Lesotho.

Lesotho News Agency. (2024). Tsosane Dumping is to be relocated to Ts'oeneng. Lesotho News Agency. https://www.lena.gov.ls/tsosane-dumping-to-be-relocated-to-tsoeneng-lephema/ (accessed 01 September 2024).

Machete, F., & Shale, K. (2015). Classification of unregulated landfills by waste stream analysis method: A case of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, South Africa. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 7(6), 446-452. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2015.1096670

Mahai, F. C., Banica, A., & Grozavu, A. (2019). Backyard burning of household waste in rural areas: Environmental impact with a focus on air pollution. 19th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference on Ecology, Economics, Education and Legislation SGEM 2019, Conference Proceedings, 195, 55-62.

Masoabi, T. G. (2020). Understanding public knowledge and awareness of e-waste management practices in Maseru, Lesotho (Master's thesis). North-West University, North West Province, South Africa.

Mavropoulos, A., & Newman, D. (2015). Waste health: The tragic case of dumpsites. International Solid Waste Association Report, Vienna, Austria.

Mokoka, L. P. (2022). The Impact of Tsosane Solid Waste Dumpsite on Neighbouring Community (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of the Free State, South Africa.

Naha, I. M. (2015). Full decentralisation of powers, resources, and functions in the Kingdom of Lesotho: An evaluation from a developmental local government perspective (Master's thesis). Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa.

Njoku, P. O., Edokpayi, J. N., & Odiyo, J. O. (2019). Health and environmental risks of residents living close to a landfill: A case study of Thohoyandou landfill, Limpopo province, South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(12), 2125. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16122125

Odonkor, S. T., & Sallar, A. M. (2021). Correlates of household waste management in Ghana: Health implications. Heliyon, 7(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08227

Oguneye, O. S., & Uzoma, E. S. (2018). Solid waste generation and management techniques in Ado-Ekiti, South-West, Nigeria. European Scientific Journal, 14(35), 290-307. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2018.v14n35p290

Omang, D. I., John, G. E., Inah, S. A., & Bisong, J. O. (2021). Public health implication of solid waste generated by households in Bekwarra Local Government area. African Health Sciences, 21(3), 467-1473. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i3.58

Owusu-Sekyere, E. (2022). Altered urban landscape: Shedding light on conflicts in a landfill community in Ghana. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 14(1), 76-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2020.1811928

Phan, L. T., Nguyen, G. T., Nguyen, Q. A. D., Nguyen, H. S., Nguyen, T. T., & Watanabe, T. (2021). Quality of life and factors affecting it: A study among people living near a solid waste management facility. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 720006. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.720006

Phelan, A., Ross, H., Setianto, N. A., Fielding, K., & Pradipta, L. (2020). Ocean plastic crisis: Mental models of plastic pollution from remote Indonesian coastal communities. PLOS ONE, 15(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0236149

Republic of South Africa. (2008). National Environmental Management: Waste Act No. 59 of 2008. Government Gazette No. 32000. Pretoria, South Africa.

Rovira, J., Vilavert, L., Nadal, M., Schuhmacher, M., & Domingo, J. L. (2015). Temporary trends in the levels of metals, PCDD/FS, and PCBs in the vicinity of a municipal solid waste incinerator: Preliminary assessment of human health risks. Waste Management, 43, 168-175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.05.039

Semenya, K., & Machete, F. (2019). Factors that influence firewood use among electrified Bapedi households of Senwabarwana Villages, South Africa. African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, 11(6), 719-729. https://doi.org/10.1080/20421338.2019.1572336

Senekane, M. F., Makhene, A., & Oelofse. (2021). Methodology to investigate indigenous solid waste systems and practices in the rural areas surrounding Maseru (Kingdom of Lesotho). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5355), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105355

Siddiqua, A., Hlahladakis, J. N., & Al-Attiya, W. A. (2022). An overview of the environmental pollution and health effects associated with waste landfilling and open dumping. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 58514-58536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21578-z

Taberdoost, H. (2021). Data collection methods and tools for research; a step-by-step guide to choosing data collection techniques for academic and business research projects. International Journal of Academic Research in Management, 10(1), 10-38.

Thakholi, M. (2022). Improved e-waste management and potential for employment creation through the collection and recycling of e-waste: In the case of Maseru, Lesotho (Master's thesis). Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa.

Tsheleza, V., Ndhleve, S., Kabiti, H. M., Musampa, C. M., & Nakin, M. D. V. (2019). Vulnerability of growing cities to solid waste-related environmental hazards: The case of Mthatha. Jamba - Journal of Disaster Risk, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v11i1.632

Turyahabwe, R., Asaba, J., Mulabbi, A., Wamono, E., & Gudoyi, P. M. (2022). Environmental and socioeconomic impact assessment of solid waste management practices in Mbale city, Uganda. Ghana Journal of Geography, 14(3), 55-89. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjg.v14i3.3

Uhunamure, S. E., Edokpayi, J. N., & Shale, K. (2021). Occupational health risk of waste pickers: A case study of North Region of South Africa. Hindawi Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 5530064, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5530064

United Nations. (2022). The sustainable development goals report. United Nations Publisher.

United Nations Environment Programme. (2015). Global waste management outlook. United Nations Environment Programme. http://web.unep.org/ourplanet/september-2015/unep-publications/global-waste-management-outlook (accessed 14 October 2021).

United Nations Development Programme. (2022). Integrated waste management strategy for Lesotho. United Nations Development Programme, Lesotho.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). (2020). Waste management in Lesotho. UNITAR. https://stopopenburning.unitar.org/guidance-and-examples/lesotho/waste-management-in-Lesotho/ (assessed 09 February 2024).

Wang, X., & Cheng, Z. (2020). Cross-sectional studies: Strengths, weaknesses and recommendations. Chest Journal, 158(15). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.012

World Bank. (2018). Solid Waste Management. The World Bank. http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/brief/solid-waste-management (accessed 18 March 2023).

World Health Organisation (WHO). (2000). Air quality guidelines for Europe. WHO Regional Publication European Series, 91. World Health Organisation Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen.

World Health Organisation (WHO). (2019). Global TB Report. https://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/ (accessed January 15, 2020).

World Health Organisation (WHO). (n.d.). SDG 3 and beyond - Healthy environments for a healthier population and the Sustainable Development Goals. World Health Organization, South-East Asia Regional Office, New Delhi.

Zheng, M. (2015). Conceptualization of cross-sectional mixed methods studies in health science: A methodological review. International Journal of Qualitative Research Methods, 3(2), 66-87.

Authors

Mamello Motaung
Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5578-6237
Hester Roberts
Center of Applied Food Security and Biotechnology, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3144-4707
Pakiso Makhoahle
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6131-9419
pmakhoahle@cut.ac.za (Primary Contact)
Author Biographies

Mamello Motaung, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology

Miss Mamello Agnes Motaung, Master of Health Sciences in Environmental Health (CUT), BTech in Environmental Health (CUT), National Diploma in Environmental Health Sciences (NHTC). Miss Mamello Agnes Motaung obtained her Master of Health Sciences in Environmental Health qualification in 2021 and specialises in Waste Management. Currently pursuing PhD in Environmental Health at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Republic of South Africa (RSA). Has been a research assistant or fieldworker for various waste projects of the Waste Society – School of Public Health at the University of Western Cape for 3 years. Was appointed as a student assistant by the Department of Life Sciences at CUT in the year 2022 for the subjects, waste management and environmental management. She has presented her study at the Landfill 2019 national conference. Research interests include waste management, environmental impact assessments, health impact assessment, sustainability and public health-related research.

Hester Roberts, Center of Applied Food Security and Biotechnology, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology

Dr Hester Adriana Roberts is a Visiting Research Fellow in the Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB) in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences and a Senior Lecturer /Lecturer for 21 years.  Currently supervising 8 Masters and promoter of 3 Doctoral students. Author/co-author of 12 articles in accredited journals and reviewer of international journals. Research interests include waste management, environmental impact assessments, environmental-related research, air pollution and air monitoring. Grant recipient of Waste Research, Development and Innovation Road Map, South Africa.

Pakiso Makhoahle, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology

Makhoahle, Pakiso Moses, D_HBIO (CUT), Bsc, B.Med.Sc (Hons); MmedSc, Tech (UFS) is a Professor in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences. An HPCSA registered as a medical biological scientist, who holds qualifications B.Sc, B.med.Sc (Hons), M.med.Sc (Medical Microbiology) from the University of the Free State. Obtained Doctor of Health Sciences from CUT in 2021. Joined CUT in 2009, and won 3 VC awards (two for Community Engagement and one for early career in education). Currently supervising 5 master students, in the last 3 years published 9 articles in International Journals and one book chapter (with students and colleagues). Research interest is on the waste management, toxicity, safety and biological activities of the medical plant used by traditional healers. Molecular research studies such as TB fingerprinting, and microorganisms’ resistance monitoring with 11 masters students and 3 doctorate students. He is a member of the editorial boards and a reviewer of international journals

Motaung, M., Roberts, H., & Makhoahle, P. (2024). Environmental And Health Implications of Waste Disposal Sites In The Lesotho Lowlands. Innovation Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review, 6(2), 56–69. https://doi.org/10.36923/ijsser.v6i2.270
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS) BibTeX

Copyright (c) 2024 Mamello Motaung, Pakiso Makhoahle, Hester Roberts

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

IJSSER is committed to an open-access model for publishing, ensuring that all of its content is freely available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) 4.0. This policy empowers researchers, academicians, and the general public to freely download, copy, print, and access the links to the full texts of published materials at no cost. Furthermore, authors are encouraged to read, distribute, and submit the published works to their institution's library and any other appropriate repositories.

Article Details

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Smart Citations via scite_
Views
  • Abstract 62135
  • Download PDF 43