Socio-Environmental Impacts and Perceived Health Risks of Open Waste Burning in Jos South LGA, Nigeria

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management remains a critical environmental and public 
health challenge across many peri-urban communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 
inadequate waste collection infrastructure and weak institutional capacity often 
necessitate unsustainable disposal practices. Among these, the open burning of municipal 
solid waste persists as a widespread method of waste management, contributing 
significantly to environmental degradation, atmospheric pollution, and adverse health 
outcomes. This study investigates the socio-environmental impacts, perceived public 
health risks, and policy implementation challenges associated with open waste burning in 
Jos South Local Government Area (LGA), Nigeria. A mixed-methods research approach 
was adopted, integrating quantitative and qualitative techniques to provide a 
comprehensive assessment of the problem. Primary data were collected using a cross
sectional survey, key institutional stakeholder interviews, and direct field observations. 
The sample size (n = 100) was determined using the Krejcie–Morgan sampling model to 
ensure statistical representativeness. The findings reveal that 57% of respondents 
engage in open waste burning on a regular basis, with most households burning waste at 
least once per week. The practice is predominantly driven by deficiencies in formal waste 
collection and disposal systems, identified by 70% of respondents as the principal 
motivating factor, alongside limited institutional response and inadequate enforcement 
of environmental regulations. Survey participants further associated prolonged exposure 
to open waste burning with increased incidences of respiratory-related health 
complaints, highlighting the potential public health implications of continued reliance on 
this disposal method. To address these challenges, this study proposes a transitional 
waste management framework comprising decentralized community-based waste banks, 
integrated Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs), and localized legislative interventions. The 
proposed framework aligns with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs 3, 11, and 13), promoting improved public health, sustainable 
urban development, and climate action.