Hazardous wastes Assessing the efficacy of structures and approaches to management in Nigeria

In this study, characterization of hazardous wastes components, treatment and disposal systems were examined for Southwestern Nigeria. The data were used to assess the effectiveness of monitoring systems and existing regulations on the subject and to proffer solutions for efficient management. Three sources of hazardous wastes were examined, namely: household units, commercial enterprises and industrial outfits. The household units, which were further classified into high, medium and low income earner groups, produced wastes with hazardous components of 5.6 per cent, 4.4 per cent and 4.2 per cent respectively. Typical results also show that the Pb component of wastes from a hairdressing salon, and that from a local aluminium pot making industry, were 0.026ppm and 0.046ppm respectively. Most of the other parameters examined were far higher than limits recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for safe disposal. The trace elements, however, fall within the recommended limit of WHO. The current investigation has stressed the need to: properly monitor industrial wastes discharge as well as environmental protection officials to conduct the test themselves; enforce regulations that might require the installation of treatment plants appropriate for the type of wastes generated; encourage waste reuse and recycling; intensify public education; remediate land already polluted by hazardous waste; divert some profit generated by industries to waste management research; and establish standard laboratories all over the study area for unhindered waste monitoring.