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. Ã 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 |
- 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 |
- 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 |
- 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 |
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 |
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.
à 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.
