IMPACTS OF LAND/ SOIL POLLUTION AT HELELE AREA, SOKOTO METROPOLIS, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Abstract:

The objective of this paper is to investigate impacts of land/ soil pollution at field Helele area, Sokoto metropolis, Sokoto state, Nigeria. Field trip was carried out at Helele Area Sokoto Metropolis. The results for the field trip show the personal data of the respondents. All the respondents are males, Muslims, single and below 25 years of age (100%) and their education was MakarantarAlo (100%). Perception of the respondents on the pollution and prevention was shown. On the question, do you have pollution in your area; the respondents replied as yes(100%). The respondents believed that the type of pollution in their area is soil(100%).  The respondents perceived effect of pollution on their health (66.7%). Other effects quoted by respondents (33.3%) are: the refuse dump causes accident, stomach pain due to inhalation of bad smell, and it may harm children. The community adopted some measures to curtail the effect of the refuse dump such as: pushing refuse away from road, burning (33.3%), provision of refuse bunker (66.6%). The government promised to provide refuse bunkers (100.0%). The respondents think the government did nothing to prevent soil or air pollution (100.0%). The figures due to visual inspection shows remains of burnt refuse/ waste and discarded plastic materials, and remains of open defecation.Conclusively, the improper waste disposal at Helele is a public health threat to Sokoto people and environs who consumed Fadama products.