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Toxicology Effects of Municipal Solid Waste Disposal

Municipal solid waste disposal contains waste obtained from batteries, paints, water bottle plastic, wine bottles, light bulbs, polythene bags and many items used in daily life. These waste products decompose, which results in deposition of chemicals in low concentration. Low concentrations of heavy metals and metalloids adversely affect plant growth, soil organisms, water quality, animal health and human health. Deposition of metals may have a negative effect on the environment as well.

  1. Effect on Plant Growth

    • Municipal solid waste contains small amounts of boron, which suppresses plant growth. This toxicity can be overcome by leaching of municipal solid waste. Boron, which is water soluble, is washed away from the soil by continuous leaching. On the other hand, cadmium, lead and mercury are also harmful for plants even at low concentrations. Application of municipal solid waste to tobacco land results in more consumption of cadmium by humans with each ingestion of tobacco. Mercury present in waste disposal suppresses the mushroom cultivation. Elements like arsenic, copper, chromium, nickel and zinc are present in very low concentrations. These metals are taken up by plants, but they unlikely pose any problem to the plants.

    Effect on Soil Organisms

    • Application of solid waste to the land increases the amount of toxicity in the soil. Soil organisms such as earthworms consume this contaminated soil, which in turn increases the amount of cadmium or nickel in these organisms. This does not result in a severe threat to soil organisms, but when the metal content in soil crosses its maximum allowable limit, it results in the death of these organisms. Apart from soil organisms, this is also harmful for the animal and children who have direct consumption of this contaminated soil.

    Effect on Water Quality

    • The municipal solid waste is leached from soil by the rain water. These wastes mix with the ground water, which is harmful for the aquatic ecosystem. The Total Dissolved Solids of water increases and certain chemicals present in water result in the death of certain aquatic animals such as fish and crab.

    • Despite the adverse effects on plants and animals, solid waste compost has certain advantages. Soil used for crops for many years becomes deficient in nutrients like boron, copper, nickel and cadmium. Solid waste compost helps in filling this deficiency by supplying particular nutrients to the plant.

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