Garbage: Effects To Health & Environment

The garbage accumulating in our surroundings can have continuing effects on human health and the environment. Various studies have indicated that there are health risks for people who live near landfills, including increased rates of certain types of cancer. Some of the chemicals present in the garbage have the potential to contaminate underground water reserves and pollute the atmosphere.

How Garbage Pollutes Environment

Although garbage dumping is being regulated in many parts of the world, numerous old dumping sites have been abandoned and covered for new usage, without cleaning what lies under ground. The result is that several homes, offices, schools and farmlands have landfills buried beneath them. These sites have the potential to contaminate underground water and atmospheric air due to leakage of toxins.

The decay of organic matter creates leachate- a liquid mixture of petroleum based chemicals and water. Leachate, also called garbage juice, can seep from unlined landfills or through cracks in the lining of landfills and may contaminate surface and underground water. Additionally, a large number of chemicals present in household products and consumer goods typically end up in residential garbage sites. Contamination from these sources can cause serious health risks for humans.

Health Effects of Garbage

Phthalate, a chemical present found in plastic wrap, soft plastic toys and plastic medical equipment, is known to interfere with human hormone functions. Similarly, industrial solvents like trichloroethylene, an artificial chlorinated solvent widely used in industry to remove grease from metal parts and textiles, and perchloroethylene, a chemical mainly used as a dry-cleaning agent, are of great concern because they are considered to be carcinogenic to humans.

In addition to organic toxins, dangerous heavy metals such as lead from old paint, mercury from alkaline batteries, or cadmium contained in e-waste such as old cell phones and computer monitors are extremely poisonous to animals and humans.

Garbage and Global Warming

The decomposition of organic wastes releases poisonous gases such as methane and carbon dioxide into the environment, both of which are greenhouse gases- gases that are proven to trap solar heat, causing warmer climates across the globe. Methane, the main gas in landfill emissions, is 25 times more potent in terms of climate warming than CO2.

Controlling Garbage Pollution

Various measures can be taken to overcome the problem of garbage pollution: leachate must always be collected and treated even after the closure of landfill, methane generated from landfills can be used for power generation. However, the most effective solution is to reduce the amount of garbage and recycle the recyclables.

Garbage Pollution can be Alarming

Landfills are not a long-term remedy for waste disposal. They generate a wide range of toxic air pollutants including carcinogenic hydrocarbons, noxious heavy metals as well as greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. It is imperative to control the issue before it gets threatening. For ensuring the health of the residents of a particular area, environmental testing of soil and water must be conducted to ensure the environmental safety of the site.

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