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SAFETY IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
FIRST AID
Is an immediate help which is given to a sick or injured person before sending him/her to the hospital for further treatment.
IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL
(i) It saves life
(ii) It reduces pain
(iii) It brings hope and encouragement to the patient
(iv) It reduces fear of death
(v) It prevents the illness or injury from becoming worse
(vi) It helps a victim to recover from shock
(vii) It shows spirit of helping each other.
FIRST AIDER
Is a specialist who gives first aid.
QUALITIES OF THE FIRST AIDER
(i) Should have ability to assess the problem and give immediate and appropriate help.
(ii) Must be able to act quickly, quietly, calmly
(iii) Should be sympathetic to the victim.
(iv) Should be able to recognize dangerous signs and give immediate help for example detecting immediately if breathing has stopped or is failing -there is severe bleeding poisoning-fractures.
(v) Should be able to help the injured person without unnecessary movement
FIRST AID KIT
Is a small box which is used to keep instruments and chemicals for First Aid.
The first Aid kit should be placed in a safe and accessible place.
Components of the First Aid kit
(i) Bandages
(ii) A pair of scissors
(iii) Gauze
(iv) Assorted bandages
(v) Cotton wool
(vi) New razor blade
(vii) Gentian violet (GV)
(viii) Petroleum jelly
(ix) Safety pins
(x) Iodine tincture or spirit
(xi) Soap
(xii) Pain killers e.g. Panadol
(xiii) Sterilized forceps and pins
(xiv) Liniment
(xv) A pair of tongs
(xvi) Antibiotic solution
NB: Bandages are of different forms and width.
Here are types of bandages
- Gauze bandage
- Plaster or adhesive bandage
USES OF THE INSTRUMENTS AND CHEMICALS IN THE FIRST AID KIT
| ITEM | FUNCTION/USES |
| 1. Soap | - Used for washing hands, wounds and equipment. |
| 2. Gauze bandage | - Used to cover the cuts or wounds to prevent infections. - Used to tie a broken arm or leg |
| 3. Plaster or adhesive bandage | - Used for covering small wounds |
| 4. Cotton wool | Used for cleaning and drying wounds |
5. A pair of scissors or razor blade | Used for cutting dressing materials such as bandages. |
| 6. Gentian Violet solution (GV) | - Used as an antiseptic to clean wounds and reduce bleeding |
| 7. Petroleum jelly or Vaseline | - Used for soothing bruised skin - Used for treatment of burns |
| 8. Safety pins | - Used for holding/securing bandage |
| 9. Iodine tincture or spirit: | - Used for cleaning wounds and prevent infections. - Used for treating small wounds or scratches |
| 10. Painkillers | - Used to reduce pain |
| 11. Liniment | Used to reduce muscle pain |
| 12. A pair of tongs | - Used for holding things when cleaning the wound. - Used for holding hot objects |
| 13. Antibiotic solution | - Used for killing bacteria |
14. Antiseptic e.g. methylated sprit, Dettol and Euso | - Used for cleaning wounds and killing germs |
| 15. Tweezer | - Used for removing thorns and insect stings left behind by bees. |
| 16. Torch | - Used as source of light |
| 17. Medical tapes | - Used for holding gauze bandage |
| 18. Whistle | - Blown to call for help |
| 19. Thermometer | Used for measuring body temperature |
| 20. Splints | - Used to support the broken bone |
| 21. First aid manual | It is a sheet of paper or a booklet which contains guidelines for providing first aid. |
| 22. Clean water | - Used for taking painkillers. - Used for washing hands wounds and equipment |
23. Disposal sterile gloves or rubber gloves | - Used for covering hands to prevent direct contact with victim's body fluids - Used for covering hands to avoid infection of wounds. |
MAINTENANCE OF FIRST AID KIT
(i) Replace the used items as soon as possible. E.g. Panadol
(ii) Check the items regularly and replace the expire items
(iii) Store it in a clean and dry place.
PROCEDURES OF RENDERING (PROVIDING) FIRST AID TO VARIOUS VICTIMS
First aid procedures differ depending on the type of accident or illness.
Precaution that should be observed before giving first aid
(i) Do not panic – keep calm, assess the situation and know what to do, yelling and running away will not help.
(ii) Avoid anyone else being put at risk. For example, the risk of being infected with casualty's blood or the risk of suffering an electrical shock
(iii) Make sure it is safe to approach the casualty. For example, trying to help someone in a big fire could endanger your life, so call for help and keep others away.
(iv) Do not touch a victim with bare hands.
(v) Always wear protective gears such as plastic gloves, masks and eye protector.
(vi) Wash your hands with soap and running water immediately after providing first aid.
NB: Body fluids such as blood, pus, saliva and mucus can spread infectious agents such as
HIV, Corona virus, Ebola virus and Hepatitis B
FIRST AID CAN BE RENDERED TO THE VICTIMS OF
(i) Bruises
(ii) Snake bite
(iii) Insect bites and stings
(iv) Electrical shock
(v) Vomiting
(vi) Fainting
(vii) Muscle cramps
(viii) Hiccups
(ix) Bleeding
(x) Poisoning
(xi) Bone fracture
(xii) Drowning
(xiii) Suffocation
1. BRUISES
Are injuries formed when a person is hit by a blunt object, causing pain, swelling and discolouration without breaking the skin.
- The discoloration is due to breaking of small blood vessels, causing blood to collect under the skin.
PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A BRUISE VICTIM
(i) Ask the casualty how the bruises happened in order to know how serious it is.
(ii) Raise the affected limb if possible and apply firm pressure.
(iii) Apply a cold compress for five to ten minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
(iv) If the casualty has lost consciousness, seek medical help at once.
NB: Cold compress can be from a clean cloth dipped in cold water or a bag of ice cubes.
2. SNAKE BITE
Is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds.
- The outcome of snake bites depends on:-
— The type of the snake if it is poisonous (venomous) or not
— The area of the body bitten
— The amount of venom injected
— The health condition of the person
PROCEDURE FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A SNAKE BITE VICTIM
(i) Move a victim to a safe place and let him/her lie down or sit
(ii) Calm the victim down to reduce the spread of venom to vital organs.
(iii) Remove all jewelry and tight-fitting cloth to reduce harm if swelling occurs.
(iv) Keep the wound at heart level or lower in order to slow down the flow of venom.
(v) Wear gloves and clean the wound using soap and clean water or cotton wool containing sprit to kill germs.
(vi) Take the victim to a nearby health Centre.
Precautions that should be observed when providing first aid to a victim of a snake bite
(i) Do not cut the bitten area because will cause more opening of the wound.
(ii) Do not tie the bitten area because will cause swelling due to restricted blood flow.
(iii) Do not suck the blood from bitten area it can cause infection to both the victim and the first aider.
(iv) Do not provide a victim with any food or drinks such as alcohol, coffee and tea because will accelerate the rate of heart beats thus leading to rapid spread of venom throughout the body.
3. INSECT BITES
Is an injury caused by a bite from insects.
STINGS
Is a result in an injection of poison or other substances into the skin.
- Stings are caused by scorpions and some insects such as bees, wasps, hornets.
- Most insect bites and stings are more painful but less harmful.
Insect bites and stings are usually characterized by the following symptoms:
(i) Sharp pain
(ii) Mild swelling
(iii) Soreness
(iv) Allergic reactions such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, swelling of face, lips or throat.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF INSECT BITE
AND STINGS SUCH AS BEE AND WASP STING
(i) Remove the sting by using tweezers
(ii) Wash the stung area with soap and water
(iii) Apply a cold compress to minimize pain and swelling
(iv) Apply baking soda paste or ashes on the bee sting to neutralize the acid.
- Use the ratio of 1 teaspoon of water to 3 teaspoons of baking soda.
(v) If the victim develops allergic reactions seek for medical help.
Precautions that should be observed when providing first aid to a victim of insect bite
- Do not use fingers or sharp objects to remove the sting because will cause the sting to release more venom into the body.
4. ELECTRIC SHOCK
Is a sudden painful feeling that a person get when electricity passes through his/her body.
- Electric shock is very dangerous because it can cause burns, unconsciousness and muscle pain. It can also cause failure of the heart and lungs to function and eventually death.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK
(i) Turn off the source of electricity. If not possible to turn it off, move the victim away from the source of electricity using a dry non – metallic object such as a dry piece of wood.
(ii) Prevent shock by laying the victim down and positioning the victim's head (if possible) slightly lower than the trunk the legs are raised slightly above.
(iii) Loosen any tight clothing around the neck to ensure there is no obstructions in the mouth or throat.
(iv) If a victim is not breathing start mouth to mouth resuscitation.
(v) Take the patient to a nearby health Centre for medical help.
Precautions that should be observed when providing first aid to a victim of electrical shock
(i) Do not touch the victim with your bare hands who is still in contact with electric current
(ii) If the accident occurred in high voltage wires like in transmission lines, do not get near the wires until the power is turned off, stay at least at 20 feet away.
5. BLEEDING
Bleeding occurs when there is breakage of the skin due to wounds, scratches or cuts.
- Bleeding can be minor or heavy (excessive bleeding)
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF BLEEDING
(i) Press firmly directly over the wound using a bandage, a pad or a clean cloth.
(ii) Raise the injured part above the level of the heart
(iii) If possible, lie the casualty (victim) down with the legs slightly raised
(iv) When bleeding slows down, put a dressing over the area with the bandage.
(v) If bleeding continues, place a second dressing over the first one seek medical help immediately
NOSE BLEEDING
It occurs due to rupturing of blood vessels in the nasal lining or sometimes due to no apparent reason.
- Blood vessels in the nasal lining are very delicate, thus may easily rupture after blowing the nose or sneezing
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF NOSE BLEEDING
(i) Let the person sit with head tipped slightly forward.
(ii) Ask the person to pinch the nose and breathe through the mouth for few minutes.
(iii) If bleeding does not stop, take the victim to hospital.
6. VOMITING
Is to bring back the food from the stomach through the mouth.
- Vomiting is caused by intake of food or drinks contaminated with bacteria, viruses or fungi, allergies, poisons, excessive eating or some diseases.
- Vomiting is not a disease but it is a symptom of many diseases.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF VOMITING
(i) Place the patient in a safe and clean place.
(ii) Let the patient seat or lay down on the side so as to prevent chocking.
(iii) Give the patient plenty of fluids with a mixture of salt, sugar and lemon or ginger juice to prevent nausea.
(iv) Give the patient a lot of juice or oral rehydration solutions to restore water, mineral salts and energy.
(v) If vomiting persists, take the victim to hospital for medical help.
7. MUSCLE CRAMPS
Are sudden, involuntary and painful contraction of one or more muscles
- Muscles cramps may be caused by poor coordination of the muscles during exercise, cold, excessive loss of salts and body fluids due to too much sweating, severe diarchies or persistent vomiting.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF MUSCLE CRAMPS
(i) Massage the affected muscle while stretching the limb until the pain has reduced.
(ii) Give a glass of water especially if you think there is a lack of water in the victim body.
(iii) Get medical help if the cramp persist.
8. HICCUPS
Are sharp, uncontrolled repeated sounds made in throat caused by a sudden movement of the diaphragm.
- Hiccups are also caused by swallowing large quantities of air or by eating too much. Hiccups can be acute or persistent
NB: Acute Hiccups are those which last only a few minutes while Persistent Hiccups are those which last longer than two hours.
- Persistent hiccups may indicate a more serious health problem.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF ACUTE HICCUPS
(i) Advising the victim to drink a glass of water in order to stimulate the vagus nerve.
(ii) Advising the victim to hold breathe as long as possible or to breathe into a paper bag in order to increase carbon dioxide in the blood.
(iii) Give the victim a teaspoon of dry sugar, honey or peanut butter to stimulate the vagus nerve.
NB: Vagus nerve is a nerve which runs from the brain to the stomach. It helps to stop hiccups when it stimulated by drinking water, placing dry sugar on the tongue and suckling if the victim is a baby.
Precaution that should be observed when providing first aid to a victim of hiccups
- Do not breathe into a plastic bag because it may block the air way and cause suffocation.
9. POISONING
This occurs when a person has taken a poison.
Poison: is any substance that causes harm if it is swallowed, inhaled or absorbed into the body
Examples of poisons
- Laboratory chemicals such as
- Kerosene
- Cleaning detergents,
- Pesticides
- Poisonous plants
- Medicines
Signs and symptoms of poisoning
(i) Vomiting
(ii) Difficulty in breathing
(iii) Abdominal pain
(iv) Burns or redness around the mouth and lips
(v) Breath that smells of chemical
(vi) Odour on the victim's body clothing or on the floor (vii) Empty medicine bottles or scattered pills.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF POISONING
(i) Identify which poison is involved.
(ii) If the poison is in the eye, wash the eye using clean lukewarm water and encourage the victim to blink as much as possible.
(iii) I f the poison is on the skin, remove any contaminated clothing and poor clean water on the affected area as much as possible.
(iv) If the poison has been swallowed, give a glass of milk or water or both to dilute and neutralize the poison.
(v) If the poison has been inhaled, move the victim outside where there is plenty of fresh air. If a person is not breathing, start mouth to mouth resuscitation.
(vi) Take the victim to hospital immediately for medical help.
Precaution that should be observed when providing first aid to a victim of poisoning
(i) Do not induce vomiting if the poison is a corrosive substance such as kerosene, bleach, detergent, laboratory acid, disinfectant, paint thinner, toilet cleaner, turpentine as these may corrode (burn) the esophagus.
(ii) Induce vomiting if the poison is non-corrosive like alcohol, aspirin, laxative, soap, sleeping pills or wax either by putting your finger in the victim's throat or by giving the victim with gargle soapy water or raw egg yolk.
10. FAINTING
This occurs when there is low supply of blood to the brain.
- Fainting is caused by a sudden fall in blood pressure, which results to inadequate blood supply to the brain.
- The brain cells lack oxygen hence collapses.
PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FIRST AID TO A VICTIM OF FAINTING
(i) Move the victim to the area with a plenty of air.
(ii) Remove all jewelry, for example bangles, tight clothing such as shoes and socks.
(iii) Lay the victim down with the head lower than the feet (iv) If a person is not breathing, start mouth to mouth resuscitation.
(v) Take the victim to the hospital if the condition does not improve.
TEST YOURSELF
1. Explain the procedure for providing first aid to a person bitten by a snake.
2. (a) What is muscle cramp?
(b) Mention the causes of muscle cramps
(c) Explain the procedures for providing first aid to a person of muscle cramp
3. How will you provide first aid to a bleeding victim?
4. (a) Why it is not healthy advised to induce vomiting to a person who swallowed poison such as kerosene?
(b) Why it is not healthy advised to use plastic bag to the victim of hiccups?
5. Why it is very important to provide first aid to the victim of electric shock? Give four reasons.
SAFETY AT HOME AND SCHOOL
Safety
Is a state of being protected from danger or harm or accident
Accident
Is unexpected event that can cause injury and death.
- There are many accidents that occur at our homes as well as at schools that might endanger our safety.
- Groups of people who at high risk are children, elderly and handicapped
COMMON ACCIDENTS AT HOME AND SCHOOL
The following are common accidents at home and school
(i) Drowning
(ii) Poisoning
(iii) Chocking
(iv) Cuts and scratches
(v) Injury or fractures
(vi) Falls
(vii) Scalds, fires and burns
(viii) Bites and stings
(ix) Electric shock
(x) Bruises
(xi) Bleeding
CAUSES AND WAYS OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AT HOME AND
SCHOOL
The following are causes and ways of preventing accident at home and school:
| Accident | Causes | Ways of preventing |
| 1. Bruises | - Caused by severe blow from blunt objects | - Wear helmet when riding a bicycle or a motor cycle. - Do not run carelessly. - Avoid reaching higher objects by standing on chairs or table |
| 2. Scalds and burns | - Scalds are caused by burns from hot objects, chemicals, friction, electricity, radiation or scalding water or steams - Running in the laboratory - Allowing children to play in the laboratory | - Handle hot objects with care using kitchen gloves or a piece of cloth. - Handle chemicals and electric appliances with care - Do not allow children to play in the kitchen - Store oxidants, flammable and explosive of heat. - Do not run in the laboratory |
| 3. Fire | - Leaving fire or burning candles unattended - Keeping flammable materials like paper, clothes or petrol near the fire - Connecting to many appliances to one socket leading to overheating | - Never leave fire or open flames unattended - Never keep flammable materials such petrol near fire - Use electric equipment property - Do not plug too many appliances to one socket at a time |
| 4. Electric shock | - Touching bare wires - Touching electrical equipment with wet hands - Posturing sharp(metal) objects into electric sockets | - Do not touch bare wires - Do not use electric appliance with workout cables - Do not insets metal objects into socket - Never touch electric equipment with wet hands - Switch off electric appliances that are not being used. |
| 5. Snake bites | - Provoking the snake - Playing around the bush or tall grasses - Walking during the might with bare legs in the dark | - Avoiding provoking the snake or passing near their shelter - Avoiding in long grasses or climbing trees - Avoiding walking in the dark with bare legs |
| 6. Stings | - Provoking insects by throwing stones at their shelter - Staying/playing near the bee hires and wasp nets. - Keeping tall graves and bushes that would harbor dangerous animals | - Avoid provoking insects by staying away from from their shelter. - Cut bushes and tall grasses around the house or school. |
| 7. Drowning | - Playing near the water bodies - Going near water bodies when it is dark - Allowing children to play near water bodies - Leaving pools of water at home and schools uncovered | - Do not go to swimming alone - Use bridge when crossing rivers and streams - Avoid going near water bodies when it is dark. - Do not allow children to play near water bodies - Cover or fence all pools of water at home or school |
| 8. Falls | - Climbing trees and walls - Running unnecessarily - Leaving the floor wet and stopper with spitted liquid | Always walk carefully - Avoid playing dangerous games such as climbing trees and walls - Put up signs to indicate where there stair or steps - Do not run unnecessarily - Wipe spilled liquids on the floor immediately - Do not leave fruits and verge able feels on the floor |
| 9. Chocking | - Talking while eating - Eating or drinking while laying down - Giving children small objects to play with | Do not talk while eating - Sit upright when eating or drinking - Eat slowly and do not take part in eating competition - Do not give children small objects to play with as they add put them in the mouth |
| 10. Poisoning | - Excessive use of medicine (overdose) - Taking medicine without doctor's prescription - Exposure to poisonous fumes or chemicals - Taking poisons near food or drinks - Tasting or eating in the laboratory | - Store medicines and other chemical away from children's reach - Never sniff or smell chemical you don't know - Use medicines as prescribed by the doctor - Keeping medicine and poisons away from food or drinks - Label all containers clearly - Do not taste things in the laboratory - Use poisons are directed on the lables |
| 11. Cuts and scratches | Walking barefoot outside - Poor disposing of broken graves and empting tins - Giving sharp objects to children to play with - Planting thorny bushes near the house | - Store sharp tools in a safe place - Properly dispose broken glasses and empty tins - Do not plant thorny bushes very near the house - Do not give children sharp objects to play with |
| 12. Bleeding | - Cutting or piecing with sharp objects like knives - Accidents from cars or machinery | - Handle sharp or piercing objects with great care. - Do not run a machine if you don't know or understand instructions - Don's play with sharp or piercing object and put them away from children's reach |
Things that can affect safety in our environment includes
(a) Motor vehicles
They can cause accidents as when a person is walking on the road or using vehicles.
(b) Electricity
It may cause accident when there are loose wires and connection of too many
appliances to one socket.
(c) Water bodies
When water bodies contain crocodiles or unskilled person, die when swimming
(d) Chemicals, medicines, fuels and poisons
Swallowing chemicals and medications without doctor's prescription.
(e) Fires
Fire accidents occur when explosives are kept near a fire.
(f) Poisonous animals
They cause danger when they bite.
(g) Cutting tools
When cutting tools are not used properly can cause cuts or tetanus.
(h) Wet and slippery floors
When water spill on floors can make a person fall and get bruises or bone fractures.
(i) Stairs
These can endanger safety if are slippery or stepping on them carelessly.
(j) Ladders, stools and chairs.
When these things are not placed on a stable flat surface may cause falls.
WASTE AND WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTES
Are materials that are no longer needed in our environment.
Or are unwanted, unusable materials or substances in our environment
- Wastes are also called trashes, garbage, rubbishes or refuses
Examples of wastes are, food left – overs, broken items, scrap metals, industrial wastes, human excreta and packaging materials.
- Wastes are mostly as a result of human activities.
TYPES OF WASTE
There are four criteria used to classify wastes.
(a) Basing on the physical states
(b) Basing on living and non-living components.
(c) Basing on the ability to be processed into useful products
(d) Basing on potential to cause harmful effects to humans or environment.
(a) Basing on the physical states
According to physical states, there are four types of wastes, namely:-
(i) Solid wastes
(ii) Liquid wastes
(iii) Gaseous wastes
(iv) Sludge wastes
(i) SOLID WASTES
Are waste materials which are in solid state.
Example of solid wastes
- Household garbage such as vegetable, fruit and garden wastes, bottles, plastics, papers, broken glasses, empty cans and construction wastes.
Categories of solid wastes
(i) Household wastes such as papers, cans, plastics, broken glassware, batteries from watches, radios, mobile phones Household garbage such as vegetable, fruit and garden wastes, bottles, plastics, papers, broken glasses, empty cans, shopping bags, old utensils, broken chairs and tables.
(ii) Industrial wastes such as packaging materials, metal turnings, scrappers, plastics and junked automobiles.
(iii)Medical or hospital wastes such as used syringes, used bandages and cotton wool, used needles, blades, medicines, plastic containers.
(ii) LIQUID WASTE
Are waste materials which are in liquid state.
Example of liquid wastes
- Urines, waste water from households, industries, agriculture, mining areas and chemicals from industries,
(iii) GASEOUS WASTES
Are wastes which are in gaseous state.
Example of gaseous wastes
- Smokes, fumes, and gases such as ammonia, carbon dioxide and Sulphur from industries and from motor vehicles.
(iv) SLUDGE WASTES
These wastes are intermediate between liquid and solid states.
Example of sludge wastes
- A mixture of livestock urine and cow dung.
(b) Basing on living and non-living components
According to living and non-living components, wastes can also be classified as:
(i) Biodegradable wastes
(ii) Non – biodegradable wastes
(i) BIODEGRADABLE WASTES
These are wastes that can be decomposed easily by bacteria and fungi.
- These wastes are from living things
- They are also called organic wastes
Example of biodegradable wastes
- Food remains
- Cotton clothes
- Grasses
- Paper and bandages
(ii) NON-BIODEGRADABLE WASTES
These are waste that cannot be easily decomposed by bacteria and fungi.
- Some non – biodegradable wastes remain the soil for long period whereas other cannot decompose at all.
Non – biodegradable wastes are also called Inorganic wastes.
Example of non – biodegradable wastes
- Plastic materials
- Pieces of glasses
- Metal scraps
- Some pesticides
(c) Basing on the ability to be processed into useful products.
Wastes can also be classified as:
(i) Recyclable wastes
(ii) Non – recyclable wastes
(i) RECYCLABLE WASTES
Are wastes that can be processed to make useful products.
- They are returned to industries as raw materials and new objects are made from them.
Example of Recyclable wastes
- Plastic bottles
- Glass
- Paper wastes
(ii) NON – RECYCLABLE WASTES
Are wastes that cannot be processed to make new objects.
Example of non – recyclable wastes
- Hazardous chemical containers
- Used batteries
- Empty aerosol cans
- Mirror
- Bulbs
- Medical wastes
(d) Basing on potential to cause harmful effects to humans or environment Wastes can also be classified as:
(i) Hazardous wastes
(ii) Non – hazardous wastes
(i) HAZARDOUS WASTES
These are wastes with a potential to cause harmful effects to humans or the environment.
- They are considered harmful because they may either contain toxic substance or disease – causing organisms.
Example of hazardous wastes
- Industrial and hospital wastes
NB: Wastes that can transmit infections or cause diseases are referred to as biohazardous wastes.
(ii) NON – HAZARDOUS WASTES
These are wastes with no potential harmful effects to humans or environment.
- If allowed to accumulate in the environment, they do not cause infections and diseases.
Example of non – hazardous wastes
- Leaf litters
- Wood
- Grasses
CLASSWORK
1. Classify waste produced at home, school and industry according to living and non – living components.
2. Classify wastes produced at home, school, hospital and industry according to physical states.
3. Using relevant examples differentiate between hazardous waste and non – hazardous waste.
4. State four criteria used to classify waste.
5. What is wastes?
Sources of wastes
The following are places where wastes can be produced:
(i) Households
(ii) Industries
(iii) Hospitals
(iv) Markets
(v) Schools
The table below shows sources, waste generated and their examples
| SOURCE | WASTE GENERATED | EXAMPLES |
| Household | Sewage | Urine, faeces and water |
| Waste water | Water from laundry and bathrooms | |
| Plastics | Shopping bags, containers, water and juice bottles, straws, old utensils and old toys. | |
| Papers | Newspapers, cardboard, old books and magazines |
WASTE DISPOSAL
Waste disposal
Is the way in which we get rid of the materials that are no longer needed.
OR
Waste disposal refers to the collection, transportation, processing, re-use and other activities that help us to get rid of waste
- This helps to reduce adverse effects of wastes on human health, animal health and the environment.
Waste Management
Is the application of measures and principles in controlling waste.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF WASTE DISPOSAL
There are three basic principles that can helps us to manage our waste. These are:
(i) Reusing
(ii) Recycling
(iii)Reducing
1. RE-USING
This involves using waste over and over again.
- Instead of throwing the waste away, they can be reused. For example, an empty margarine container can be used to store salt, glass bottle can be used to keep milk.
2. RECYCLING(RECOVERY)
This involves getting back useful materials from waste.
Some wastes can be changed to other usable products. For example, broken glass can be melted and used to make new glass bottles or earing and necklaces and newspapers can be recycled to produce cards, paper
3. REDUCING (REDUCTION)
This is the act of minimizing the amount of waste produced.
This involves lowering the amount of waste we produce as much as possible. For example by buying things that lasts longer and according to one's need, carrying a woven basket instead of buying plastic bags.
PROPER WAYS OF DISPOSING WASTE (METHODS OF WASTE DISPOSAL)
The following are the proper ways of disposal waste:
(i) Recycling
(ii) Reusing
(iii) Reducing
(iv) Incineration
(v) Pit latrine
(vi) Tipping
(vii) Landfill
(viii) Composting
(i) Recycling
This involves turning waste materials into useful products. For example, used plastic material are used to make new plastic items, waste paper used to make tissue paper.
(ii) Re-using
This involves using a material more and more again. For example, using an empty margarine container to keep sugar.
(iii) Reducing
This is the act of minimizing the amount of waste produced.
- This involves lowering the amount of waste we produce as much as possible. For example, by buying things that lasts longer and according to one's need, carrying a woven basket instead of buying plastic bags.
(iv) Incineration
Is the process of burning organic solid wastes until they are completely destroyed into ashes.
- Incineration can be done at household level (small scale incineration) or in hospitals, industries and municipals (large scale incineration)
- Hazardous wastes like clinical wastes are burnt inside a facility called an incinerator
NB: Incinerator – is a facility used to burn hazardous waste materials.
(v) Composting
This is a process of making manure from biodegradable organic waste.
- Example of biodegradable organic wastes include leaves, fruit and vegetable peels, garden weeds, flowers and kitchen waste, branches of trees and sawdust.
Ways used to produce compost (manure)
- Dig a hole and throw in all organic waste produced domestically or commercially.
- Compost (manure) can also be produced using a heap instead of a hole. The heap is watered and turned regularly to encourage decomposition and after a few weeks, it decomposes into manure, when the compost (manure) is ready the compost is used to fertilize farmland.
(vi) Landfill
Is a site for the disposal of wastes by burying them under the ground.
- Landfills are specially used for solid waste where waste is compacted and covered with soil.
Types of landfill
There are two types of landfills, namely:
(i) Open hole in the ground – where waste is dumped and buried.
(ii) Sanitary landfill – is a structure built into the ground where waste is isolated from the environment using clay or plastic liner.
(vii) Tipping
This is a process whereby the trucks collect waste from the household dustbins and take them to the dumping site
(viii) Pit latrine
This is made by digging a hole in the ground.
- A wooden or concrete platform with a hole over the pit is built so that people can use the latrine safely.
- The sewage in the pit latrine is decomposed by bacteria and when it is full, it is covered with soil and a new latrine is dug.
NB: Dumps, landfills and pit latrine are methods of burying waste.
EFFECTS OF POOR WASTE DISPOSAL
Waste is dangerous to everyone in the community, especially when it is poorly disposed of some of the problems (effects) associated with poor waste disposal are:
(i) Leads to water contamination
Some wastes end up in the water bodies and cause water pollution. For example, chemical from industries or farms and disease-causing organisms once get into water bodies water get contaminated and becomes harmful for the use by human and other animals.
(ii) Leads to soil contamination
When some wastes are added into the soil, the soil becomes contaminated or polluted, hence the soil becomes dangerous to the lives of plants, animals and microorganisms. Wastes that can contaminate soil are like chemicals from industries, contaminated water, plastic bags
(iii) Leads to eruption of diseases
Poor waste disposal may cause spread of diseases such as diarchies, cholera, typhoid and respiratory diseases.
(iv) Leads to air pollution
Decaying waste may give bad smell, burning waste produce harmful gases that pollutes the air and cause respiratory diseases.
(v) Leads to loss of biodiversity
Because of poor waste disposal, many organisms that are beneficial tend to die, for example fish, microorganisms.
(vi) Makes the environment not attractive
When wastes are dumped randomly degrade the natural beauty of the environment.
(vii) Leads to occurrence of unnecessarily accidents.
Poor waste disposal may lead to unnecessarily accidents for example, cut by broken glass, snake bite.
(viii) Attraction of dangerous animals
Waste accumulated for a long time tend to be the habitat of dangerous animals such as snake, bees, cockroaches, rats, centipede. (ix) Leads to blockage of drainage channels.
(x) Waste give out bad smell
IMPORTANCE OF PROPER WASTE DISPOSAL
Disposing waste properly is beneficial to our lives and the lives of other organisms are follows.
(i) Prevents eruption of diseases
(ii) Prevents water contamination.
(iii) Helps to avoid soil contamination
(iv) Prevents air pollution
(v) Prevent unnecessarily accidents in the environment
(vi) Maintains the natural beauty of the environment
HOW TO REDUCE WASTE
The following are simple ways in which we can reduce waste.
(i) Using cloth instead of paper to wipe surfaces such as windows and furniture
(ii) Buying things that last longer
(iii) Using rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries
(iv) Using woven shopping bags instead of plastic or paper bags
(v) Using plastic that can be recycled or re-used
(vi) Buying products made from recycled materials
(vii) Initiate awareness' campaigns in your community on the proper ways of disposal waste as most people are not aware of the effects of poor waste disposal
EFFECTS OF POOR WASTE DISPOSAL
(i) Leads to spread of diseases e.g. cholera and respiratory diseases
(ii) Leads to air pollution
(iii) Makes the environment not attractive
(iv) Accumulated waste becomes breeding ground for vectors of diseases
(v) Waste can harm wildlife and domestic animals
The bags if swallowed may block the digestive system of animal
(vi) Waste block the drainage channel and leads to flooding
(vii) Waste pollute the water bodies and affect the life of aquatic animals
(viii) Contaminated water in the soil affect plant growth and kill micro-organisms
(ix) Waste degrade the natural beauty of the environment
(x) Waste give out bad smell.
