Residents' Knowledge and Perception of Environmental and Health Risks from Landfill Leachate Pollution around the Solous Landfill, Lagos, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
Landfill leachate, Risk perception, Environmental health, Community awareness, Waste managementAbstract
Accelerating urbanization in developing nations intensifies solid waste management challenges, particularly where inadequate landfill practices pose severe health and environmental hazards. This study examined knowledge levels, risk perceptions, and psychological responses among residents near the Solous Landfill in Lagos, Nigeria. A mixed-methods design combined quantitative surveys of 140 respondents with qualitative focus group discussions involving 16 purposively sampled community members. Findings revealed substantial awareness of leachate-associated risks: 78.6% of respondents acknowledged health implications, while 84.3% recognised environmental threats. Educational attainment, age, and occupational status emerged as significant determinants of awareness (p < 0.05). Approximately 63.6% of participants reported psychological distress attributed to offensive odour, water quality deterioration, and inadequate confidence in landfill management systems. A positive correlation was identified between health and environmental risk awareness (r = 0.635, p < 0.01). Qualitative data confirmed widespread concern regarding groundwater pollution and strong community support for landfill relocation, underscoring deficient trust in existing management frameworks. The study reveals that visible signs of pollution primarily shape risk perception through lived experience rather than formal knowledge alone. Educational improvements and visible environmental remediation measures are essential alongside transparent governance and community participation to rebuild institutional trust and achieve sustainable waste management outcomes in developing nations like Nigeria.
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