Evaluating the Health and Ecological Risks of Plastic Waste Pollution in Lagos State

Background:

The use of plastics in many aspects of daily life has become a globally accepted practice and one that is here to stay. Plastic is inexpensive, readily available, lightweight, and strong, making it the preferred material for various applications in agriculture, packaging, electronics, and other human activities.
Population increase and industrialization have led to the extensive production of plastic materials, which has resulted in the attendant generation of plastic waste. Improper disposal of this waste can lead to a vast accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, which can pose serious health and ecological risks to residents.

Aim:

This study assessed the health and ecological risks of plastic waste pollution in Lagos State. It also
examined residents’ awareness of plastic waste pollution and identified factors contributing to its prevalence in
the State.

Methodology:

The study was a cross-sectional survey targeting adult residents of the State, 18 years and above. A sample size of 385 was calculated from the estimated population of 15,500,000 [as reported by the Lagos State Bureau of Statistics, 2024], using Raosoft sample size calculator. The data collection instrument was a structured questionnaire that was shared electronically to the participants. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Descriptive statistics was deployed for data evaluation, and results were expressed as percentages and frequencies

INTRODUCTION

Plastic refers to a group of polymeric materials derived from fossil fuels, including crude oil. During manufacturing, various chemical additives are incorporated to modify the strength, texture, and/or cost of this widely used packaging material [1]. The first plastics were produced in the 1860s, but it was not until the 1940s that plastic manufacturing became one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. Since then, plastics have gradually replaced traditional materials such as wood, metal, and leather [2], [1]. In 1950, the world produced just two million tonnes of plastic materials [3]. Over the following 70 years, however, annual plastic production increased nearly 230-fold to 460 million tonnes in 2019 [4]. Plastics have evolved as a necessary element of modern life; they are cheap, versatile, and synthetic materials used in various applications, including construction, home appliances, medical instruments, and food packaging.

Plastics are made from synthetic organic polymers and are durable, lightweight, versatile, and relatively inexpensive to produce, making them one of the most widely used materials [5]. Due to their widespread use in packaging and other areas, large amounts of plastic waste are generated in many locations, which have significantly impacted the environment, causing visual pollution, posing potential hazards, and contributing to the degradation of urban landscapes [6] , [7]. Plastics become waste because of irrational production practices, improper disposal in landfills, and inadequate recycling management [8].

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