We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantifying Menstrual Waste: A 2024–2050 Projection of Volume and Disposal Methods for an Urbanising Population in Nakuru, Kenya
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed 330 women in Nakuru, Kenya and projected that the city's disposable menstrual product waste will reach 890 metric tons annually by 2049, with disposal routes including pit latrines, dumpsites, and open burning creating escalating risks of groundwater contamination, long-term microplastic pollution, and toxic emissions.
Background: Rapid urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa intensifies solid waste management challenges, yet data on menstrual hygiene waste, a growing component of urban waste streams, remain scarce. Objective: To identify determinants of menstrual material used, quantify volume of menstrual waste generated in Nakuru City, portray disposal methods employed, and using the outcomes, project waste generation trends over 2024–2050. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2023 to March 2024 among 330 women aged 15–49 years. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively using Frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations. Determinants of menstrual product choice were identified using Chi-square tests. Using disposable product usage data and demographic projections, a mathematical model was used to estimate waste quantities from 2024 to 2050. Results: Age emerged as the only statistically significant influence on menstrual hygiene choices, affecting the product used and the number of pads per cycle. Disposable pads were used by 85.5%, with a mean of 12.68 pads. Extrapolation from the study indicated the city generates 355.3 metric tons of menstrual waste annually (1.83 kg per menstruating individual). With urban population growth at 3.74% annually and current product usage patterns, projected menstrual waste will increase to 426.9 metric tons by 2029, and 889.6 metric tons by 2049. Conclusion: Hazardous disposal pathways imply that pit latrines will receive 379.7 tons annually by 2050, with a cumulative amount of 6,791 tons, which will accelerate groundwater contamination risks. Dumpsites will collect 287.6 tons annually by 2050, an accrual of 5,142 tons, causing long-term microplastic pollution, while open burning will release 43.3 tons of toxic emissions annually by 2050, with an amassed weight of 817 tons, exposing communities to carcinogenic dioxins and furans.
More Papers Like This
Environmental impact of plastic-based menstrual products in Kenya
AI summary Read the abstract
Most disposable pads and tampons are made of plastic and can contain harmful chemicals, including hormone-disrupting substances, that add up to serious environmental waste over time. A survey of nearly 1,000 Kenyan schoolgirls found that most are already aware of and concerned about this plastic waste problem, suggesting real demand for safer options like menstrual cups, reusable pads, or period underwear. This matters because switching to reusable products could cut down on both plastic pollution and potential chemical exposure from single-use items.
A planetary health perspective on menstruation: menstrual equity and climate action
AI summary Read the abstract
This planetary health review highlights how conventional menstrual hygiene products generate significant plastic waste and contain potentially harmful chemicals, while many people worldwide lack adequate access to menstrual products. Reusable and sustainable alternatives could simultaneously address menstrual equity and reduce environmental plastic pollution.
Examining Options for Mitigating Microplastic Pollution in the Nairobi River Basin, Kenya
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper surveys microplastic pollution in the Nairobi River Basin in Kenya, where over half the city's population lives in informal settlements along riverbanks with little waste management infrastructure, and an estimated 67 tonnes of plastic waste enter the river daily. The authors assess current plastic waste management efforts and propose mitigation options, arguing that proactive upstream waste management is more effective than downstream clean-up. The study illustrates how microplastic pollution is a particularly acute problem in rapidly urbanising cities in the Global South.
Quantification, characterization, and source identification of macro- and mesoplastics in the water column of Rivers Sabaki and Tana.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled plastic litter in the water columns of two Kenyan rivers over a full year, quantifying plastic loads and tracing their sources using statistical analysis. The findings establish baseline data on riverine plastic flux to the Indian Ocean from East Africa and showed that rainfall significantly influenced plastic transport.
Ubiquitous Presence of Microplastics (MPs): A Review of Occurrence, Abundances, Spatial Distribution and Future Effects in the Surface Waters, Kenya
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the occurrence, abundances, spatial distribution, and potential future impacts of microplastics in surface waters across Kenya, synthesizing available research on plastic pollution in freshwater and marine systems following Kenya's 2018 single-use plastic ban. The paper highlights the growing body of research on microplastic pathways and accumulation in Kenyan water bodies and identifies knowledge gaps requiring further monitoring.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.