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The Spatial Patterns and Material Composition of Illegal Waste Disposal on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria
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Researchers studying illegal trash dumps along a major Nigerian highway found soil contaminated with several types of microplastics, tiny plastic fragments from packaging, bags, and takeaway containers, likely from weak trash collection enforcement and poor recycling practices. This matters because microplastics in soil can work their way into water, food crops, and eventually our bodies, and most residents living near these dumps already reported bad smells and health worries. The study is a reminder that where communities lack reliable garbage pickup, plastic pollution, and its potential health risks, tends to pile up literally in their backyards.
This study assessed the spatial distribution, waste composition, and microplastic contamination of illegal dumpsites along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in three peri-urban communities (Lotto, Loburo, and Ibafo). A cross-sectional design combined questionnaire surveys (n = 70), geospatial mapping, transect and quadrat assessments, and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of soil samples. Respondents reported offensive odour (90%), growth in dumpsite size (77%), and health concerns (31%), with low compliance with waste regulations (only 18 acknowledged the laws, and 14 reported compliance). Waste bill payment was rare (45 respondents did not pay). Transect surveys documented 161 waste instances and 136 illegal recycling points in “going-to” data, and 103 waste instances and 91 illegal recycling points in “return” data. The highest concentrations occurred between Interchange - Mowe (47 cases) and Ibafo - Wawa (49 cases), while the spatial map showed that illegal waste was clustered within the Mowe and Redeem areas. Waste composition was dominated by packaging materials, nylon, and takeaway materials, with Ibafo recording the highest dumping intensity (358 items), followed by Loburo (325) and Lotto (267). FTIR analysis of soil samples revealed diagnostic peaks for polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. Two-way ANOVA results showed a marginal effect of axis on occurrence (F=3.07, p=.069), while neither the two characterised dumpsite types nor their interaction with the corridor axis was significant. The findings indicated that illegal dumping is prevalent along accessible sections of the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, which may be associated with weak enforcement and poor waste governance, with implications for environmental quality and public health.
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Researchers found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in every soil sample tested across rural farming villages in Nigeria—even in farmland far from obvious plastic sources. The plastic seems to be traveling from roads and homes into nearby crop fields, suggesting that even remote farming communities aren't safe from plastic pollution, which raises concerns about whether these particles could end up in the food grown there.
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Researchers studied microplastic pollution at unregulated village dumpsites in India and found widespread contamination in the surrounding soil and water. The study identified a variety of plastic types and shapes, including fibers, fragments, and films, moving from dump sites into nearby aquatic environments. This matters because informal waste disposal in rural areas is a largely overlooked source of microplastic pollution that can affect local water quality.
Environmental and Toxicological Perspectives of Soil Microplastics in Northern Nigeria
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This study examined microplastic occurrence and toxicological implications in soils of Northern Nigeria, identifying agricultural plastics, industrial waste, and urban runoff as key sources. The research addressed a gap in African soil MP research and highlighted ecosystem and food safety risks in the region.
Impact of Plastic Waste Pollution on the Environment in Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria
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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
Microplastics in landfill soils of Lichinga, Mozambique: occurrence, polymer diversity, and depth-related distribution
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Researchers found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) buried in landfill soil in Lichinga, Mozambique, at various depths and in many different plastic types. This matters because these plastics can break down further, potentially seeping into groundwater or soil where crops grow, creating a possible pathway for plastic particles to end up in our food and water supply. While this study focused on soil rather than direct health effects, it highlights how landfills may be an overlooked source of environmental plastic pollution that eventually affects human exposure.
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