Environmental and Health Burden of Open Waste Burning in Peri-Urban Communities in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Open waste burning is a widespread waste disposal practice in peri-urban Nigerian communities, generating toxic combustion products including dioxins, furans, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and fine particulate matter that threaten both environmental and human health. This study assessed the environmental and health burden of open waste burning in six peri-urban communities in Ijebu Ode Local Government Area, Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Air quality monitoring capturing PM2.5, black carbon, and carbon monoxide was conducted during burning events and inter-burning periods at community sites and at 50, 100, and 200 metre distances. A comparative cross-sectional health survey was administered to 350 residents in high-burning-frequency communities and 200 residents in low-burning-frequency communities. Soil samples collected from burning sites were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxin precursors. Results showed PM2.5 concentrations during burning events reaching 380 micrograms per cubic metre directly downwind, and remaining above WHO daily guideline values at 200 metres in sixty-two percent of monitored events. Respiratory symptom prevalence was significantly higher in high-frequency burning communities. Soil PAH concentrations at burning sites indicated potential cancer risk for children engaging in outdoor play. Estimates of disability-adjusted life years attributable to open burning-related air pollution contributed substantially to the environmental health burden in the study communities. The study recommends community-level waste collection reform, behavioral change communication targeting open burning, and municipal investment in peri-urban waste collection infrastructure. Keywords: open waste burning, air quality, peri-urban, Ogun State, health burden.