Health impacts in Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City, Philippines
2004
Sia Su, G.L.
No significant differences in the health-related parameters (NO3-N, total cadmium, total lead, total chromium, and total coliform) of the groundwater sources of communities `with' (Barangay Payatas) and `without dumpsite' (Barangay Holy Spirit) areas were observed. However, aesthetic-related parameters: TDS, conductivity, salinity and SO4-2 were significantly higher in the `with dumpsite' area. DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Quezon City, Philippines] and DOH [Department of Health, Manila, Philippines] water quality standards were not exceeded for most parameters, except for TDS, TSS, pH and total Coliform. The dose-response function confirmed the absence of significant impact on diarrhea incidence by the health-related parameters, with significant but negligible effect obtained from the parameters SO4 sup-2 and total cadmium. The economic dependency of the people on the Payatas dumpsite is high with about 44% dependent on the site working either as scavengers, vendors and junkshop operators. Estimation of income revealed that on a daily basis, a scavenger earns a net income of PhP131.00, a vendor earns PhP114.25 and a junkshop operator earns PhP323.30. The earnings sufficiently cover their daily household's expenditures. In light of this high, economic dependency and lack of established health impact, it is not surprising that people continue to engage and live close to dumpsites. This study recommends more in-depth analyses on other illness linked to exposure to dumpsites.
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