Abstract

<p>The study examined the storage, disposal and health effects of refuse in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. The <br>specific objectives were to; assess the types of Refuse generated; examine the methods of storing refuse; and find out the health <br>effects of improper refuse disposal based on gender. Cross sectional descriptive survey research design was used. The <br>population of the study comprises of all 1, 574 workers in the airport. The sample size of this study is 383 determined using of <br>Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2011). Simple random sampling by balloting was used to select the respondents. Questionnaire <br>was used to collect data which validated by three (3) experts and the Cronbach alpha was 0.78. Both descriptive and inferential <br>statistical tools were used and analyzed the collected data. For descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, mean, and standard <br>deviation were used. For inferential statistics, chi – square was used and set the significant level at (5%) (p ≤ 0.05). All the results <br>were presented in tables and calculated with <br>aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The finding indicates that more than half (68.9%) of the respondents are <br>generating accumulated rags waste, (64.3%) generating Nylon and polythene bags waste, and (57.5%) generating waste papers <br>while (44.1%) are generating food waste and fruits peel. Finding also shows that garbage bags (mean = 3.10), polythene bags <br>(mean = 3.03) and, drums (mean = 2.74) were the methods of refuse storage recorded the higher mean value greater than the <br>criterion mean (2.50) which concluded as agreed. Finally, it also revealed that Female (89.2%) are more than male (81.2%) <br>agreed toxic is one of the health effects; also (91.4%) highly agreed then male (71.3%) for contamination of land, air and water, <br>but for creation of unsanitary conditions effect, female (88.7%) highly agreed than male (71.8%); in environmental pollution; <br>female (86.0%) agreed than male (70.7%); female (81.7%) highly agreed than male (69.1%) that outbreaks of vector-borne <br>disease is one of the health effects of improper refuse disposal. It was recommended that; Health campaign on better waste <br>disposal methods and educating the both passengers and staff of the airport in order to appreciate the health problems <br>associated with indiscriminate waste disposal and the enforcement of sanitation laws by the appropriate authorities</p>