Toxic waste, also known as hazardous waste is a type of dangerous waste harmful to living organisms. The waste products are not easily recycled but usually disposed of in landfills. The effects of toxic waste can impact individual health and the environment.
Exclusively speaking to igihe.com, John Mugabo, an Expert in solid waste management in Kigali City Council recognized the threats of the improper waste landfill of the city but also said that the Council is working tirelessly to relocate the site.
“We are just waiting for the feedback from our consultant on the new and modernized landfill site that will be built very soon in Kigali Sector.” He said.
He added that from the consultant a study will be made immediately and then the construction process will set off. He therefore believes that with the relocation of the site; all the threats will be solved.
Remy Norbert Duhame an official from the environmental sector noted, “there was no clear study made before setting this informal site. It’s location is not strategic. He added that there should be a clear study to ensure the problem of leached water is controlled.
When World Health Organization tasked governments of African countries to prioritize environmental health concerns, the results revealed that while solid waste was identified as the second most important problem after water quality, and less than 30% of urban populations have access to “proper and regular garbage removal.”
Landfill gas is composed of a mixture of hundreds of different gases. By volume, landfill gas typically contains 45% to 60% methane and 40% to 60% carbon dioxide.
Landfill gas also includes small amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, ammonia, sulfides, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and nonmethane organic compounds (NMOCs) such as trichloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride.
This gas is produced by bacterial decomposition, which occurs when organic waste is broken down by bacteria naturally present in the waste and in the soil used to cover the landfill.
Organic wastes include food, garden waste, street sweepings, textiles, and wood and paper products. Bacteria decompose organic waste in four phases, and the composition of the gas changes during each phase.
Landfill gases can be created when certain wastes, particularly organic compounds, change from a liquid or a solid into a vapor. This process is known as volatilization. NMOCs in landfill gas may be the result.
Chemical reactions including NMOCs can be created by the reactions of certain chemicals present in waste.
For example, if chlorine bleach and ammonia come in contact with each other within the landfill, a harmful gas is produced t of volatilization of certain chemicals disposed of in the landfill.
Symptoms such as tiredness, sleepiness and headaches have also been reported. Although these symptoms cannot be assumed to be an effect of toxic chemical action, they may indicate that sites can have an impact on stress and anxiety.
Sometimes workers’ skins are swollen and this could be as a result of the heat and gas arising from the site here.
The urban waste landfills that are not waterproof often represent sources of groundwater pollution by nitrates and nitrites, as well as other pollutants.
Landfill infiltration and water leakage on the slopes affect adversely the quality of the adjoining soils, which brings along consequential effects to their utilization.
The lining of landfills can however prevents toxic substances from being released into the ground water.
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