THE INTERSECTION OF WASTE PICKING AND HEALTH HAZARD: A STUDY OF WASTE PICKER’S RISKY BEHAVIOUR AND PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES IN NIGERIAN CITIES.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63456/fyd3jq07Keywords:
Intersection, Waste Picking, Health Hazard, Waste Picker’s Risky Behaviour, Public Health Outcomes, Nigerian citiesAbstract
Informal waste picking is a critical, yet largely undervalued, component of waste management and the circular economy in Nigerian cities. While this activity provides a vital source of income for marginalized populations, it exposes them to a wide range of occupational hazards and leads to dangerous health outcomes. This research examines the complex relationship between the socio-economic drivers of waste picking, the risky behaviors adopted by waste pickers, and the resulting health and public safety implications. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methodology was adopted. Indepth interview with waste pickers was completed with field experiences at various dump sites. A total of 234 participants formed the sample size selected in major Nigerian cities namely Uyo, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Kano, Onitsha, and Lagos. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between waste pickers' awareness of health risks and their low utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE), a behavior driven primarily by economic pressures and societal marginalization. The study revealed that severe health consequences for waste pickers, including injuries, respiratory illnesses, and chronic diseases. Furthermore, it demonstrates how these localized health risks at dumpsites transform into a broader public health crisis for surrounding communities through the transmission of vector-borne diseases and environmental contamination from toxic materials. The analysis evaluates existing policy frameworks and highlights the efficacy of targeted interventions, such as health-risk reduction training and the formalization of the sector. The study concludes with a call for a comprehensive, multi-level approach that integrates waste pickers into the formal waste management system, provides access to health and safety resources, and addresses the root causes of their vulnerability.
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