Browsing by Author "Aregawi, Tesfay"

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    Peculiar Health Problems Due to Industrial Wastes in Addis Ababa City: the Case of Akaki Kality Industrial Zone
    (Addis Ababa University, 2014-04) Aregawi, Tesfay; Abagissa, Jemal (PhD)
    Despite various environmental problems in our country, this study focused on the industrial waste/ pollution of Akaki Kality industrial zone. The AIZ is characterised by its large number of manufacturing industries. The community in the area are living side by side with these industries. This lack of demarcation, therefore, is causing various health problems on the inhabitants as they are highly exposed to wastes. This paper analyzes the peculiar health problems of such wastes on the residents of AIZ. In light of this objective, the perceived and actual health problems, the vulnerable section of the community, waste management practice of some selected industries and the intervention mechanisms are analyzed. The study employed case study design and used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. In order to achieve the objective of the study, literatures were reviewed, and questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussions were used as main research instruments. The result has indicated that the local factories are not properly managing their wastes and dispose them to nearby environment without any precaution. As a result the different types of wastes from the industries in the area are affecting the health of the inhabitants. Cough, diarrhea, typhoid, typhus, skin problem, gastro intestinal disorder, asthma and eye problems are the commonly experienced problems by the inhabitants. Most of the inhabitants perceived that these health problems are attributed to industrial wastes. Children, elderly people and vegetable farmers are the most vulnerable groups of the society by the diseases. The result has also indicated that, the relevant environmental regulatory bodies have not been taken any measures to solve the problem due to internal and external problems. Thus, giving awareness to residents, encouraging the enterprises to treat wastes and use best available technologies, regular monitoring and inspection of industries, improving the institutional capacity of environmental protection organs and strengthening the coordination between relevant institutions are recommended to solve the problem