ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPACT OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL AT MANGWANENI DUMPSITE IN MANZINI: SWAZILAND

Solid waste disposal sites are found on the outskirts of the urban areas, turning into the child sources of contamination due to the incubation and proliferation of flies, mosquitoes, and rodents; that, in turn, are disease transmitters that affect population’s health, which has its organic defenses in a formative and creative state. What to do with solid waste has long troubled governments, industries, and individuals. 

Therefore, this study was design to determine the effects of the dumpsite on the surrounding human settlement in the Mangwaneni area of the Golf Course dumpsite in Manzini city.  The effects that were assessed were the possible impacts of the dumpsite on the health and the environment and also the residents view regarding the location of the dumpsite.  Data were collected from 78 household heads, through the use of self-administered questionnaires.  Households heads were divided into strata, with 39 nearby (200m) of the Mangwaneni area. In order to achieve its objectives, a comparison between the nearby and far away residents was done.  The result shows that both residents were affected by the location of the dumpsite closer to their settlements.  It was also noted that the residents whose houses are less then 200 meters from the dumpsite are victims of malaria, chest pains, cholera, and diarrhea.  However, residents whose houses are more than 200 meters are also affected with the chest pain and bad smell from the dumpsite, but mainly when wind is blowing in their direction.  The study concludes that dumpsites should be located at least 200 meters away from human settlements.  Therefore, the study recommends that dumpsites should be properly located and managed to minimize its effects on the environment.  The government and municipalities should revise laws regarding the locations of the dumpsites. Keywords: Environment; Health; Solid Waste Disposal; Golf Course; Location; Dumpsite