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Impact of Plastic Waste Pollution on the Environment in Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria
Summary
Researchers studying plastic waste dumps and markets in Gombe, Nigeria found more than just litter — they found dangerous levels of contamination, including harmful bacteria like E. coli, Staph, and even the germ that causes anthrax, plus soil polluted with toxic metals like cadmium and copper. Most people surveyed already knew plastic waste was linked to illness, and this study confirms they're right: poorly managed dumpsites can breed disease-causing germs that pose real risks to nearby communities. The takeaway is that how we dispose of plastic waste matters for public health, not just the environment, making better trash
Plastic waste pollution has emerged as a major environmental concern in the world, Nigeria, and Gombe State metropolis, Gombe, Nigeria. This study assessed its impact on environmental health, particularly in relation to water industries and market areas, while also evaluating microbial contamination at dumpsites. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative surveys, waste characterization, and microbiological analysis. A total of 237 respondents participated in the survey, while microbial populations were assessed across four sites: Inex Dumpsite, Main Market, Tumfure Market, and Old Market. Findings revealed a male-dominated respondent pool (59.1 %), with most participants aged 18–50 years (76.5 %). A significant majority (72.6 %) acknowledged the harmful effects of plastic waste on health and the environment, while 64.1% linked plastic waste to disease transmission and increased mortality. Waste management relied on community collection points (42.2 %) and private companies (38 %), with indiscriminate disposal and burning widely discouraged. Physio-chemical soil analysis indicated deviations from Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) standards, highlighting contamination risks (cadmium - 0.85 mg/kg, TOC- 8.0 %, and copper- 45.7mg/kg). Microbial analysis revealed high contamination at Inex Dumpsite, with the highest counts across all dilutions (e.g., 212.00 at 10⁻¹), while Tumfure Market showed the lowest 161.00 at 10⁻¹. Pathogens identified at the sites included Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with S. aureus and B. anthracis pervasive across all sites. The study recommends intensified public awareness campaigns on proper plastic disposal and microbial hazards, alongside improved sanitation measures to mitigate pollution and health risks.