Disposal of wastes

Disposal of wastes is now largely the domain of sanitarians and public health engineers. However, health professionals need to have a basic knowledge of the subject since improper disposal of wastes consitutes a health hazard. Further the health professional may be called upon to give advice in some special situations, such as camp sanitation or coping with waste disposal problems when there is a disruption or breakdown of community health services in natural disasters.
The 'solid waste' term includes garbage rubbish demolition products, sewage treatment residue, dead animals, manure and other discorded material.
Solid waste, if allowed to accumulate, is a health hazard because:

• it decomposes and favours fly breeding.
• it attracts rodents and vermin.
• the pathogens which may be present in the solid waste may be conveyed back to man's food through flies and dust.
• there is a possibility of water and soil pollution, and
• heaps of refuse present an unsightly appearance and nuisance from bad odours.