Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Comparative Study between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps

Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A Comparative Study between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps PDF

Mayyaleh, Ehab. A

Supervisor(s)

Amer M. El-Hamouz; Issam A. Al-Khatib -

Discussion Commity

صفحة

Abstract :

This thesis is about the “Assessment of Household Hazardous Waste Management: A comparative Study Between Nablus City and its Refugee Camps” and aims studying household hazardous waste (HHW) to determine the type and the quantity of hazardous materials most commonly used at homes, the level of awareness of household heads concerning the disposal of these substances, the extent of hazardous substance-related accidents and injuries occurring at homes. It also suggests an integrated management plan for HHW taking into consideration different engineering measures for managing the HHW from the point of generation to final disposal. Literature was collected and analyzed to identify the extent of the problem and its related issues. The questionnaire was distributed among 1300 households and a solid waste generation analysis was carried out during a 15 working days period with sorting 150 samples of 23 tons of municipality solid waste at Nablus solid waste transfer station. HHW concentrations of 2.89% and 1.88% were detected in the Nablus city and its refugee camps respectively in proportion to the family income. Findings indicate that home products and personal care products most commonly consumed hazardous substances at homes and 17.9% of the study households have injuries, poisons and burns from accidents resulted from the use of these substances. The study also found that the level of households' awareness of hazardous substances is generally low and is in need of continuous improvement. The results lead to many recommendations: a proposed management system for HHW management is needed that would help the Palestinian health to enhance and develop health and environmental services. A management system, including new approach for storage, collection, separation, transportation, treatment and disposal of HHW was proposed. This system will deal with at least 1600 tons/year of HHW in Nablus city and its refugee camps.

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