Household Hazardous Waste Quantification, Characterization, and Management in Developing Countries’ Cities: A Case Study.

Abstract

The aim of this research is to assess household hazardous waste (HHW) management in Hebron city, Palestine, investigating the HHW types and proportions. In parallel the level of awareness of household heads in regard to knowledge of risks and hazards associated with HHW items is investigated through a comprehensive survey. Also, analysis of the total generated solid waste was carried out during a 14-working-day period to detect different HHW components and their proportions. Home products constitute the largest percentage of HHW (42.3%), followed by automotive products (17.2%) and personal care products (15.4%) and healthcare products (12.3%). Personal care products are the most category of HHW that is thrown randomly (78.7%). Socioeconomic factors were related to attitudes and practices of citizens in regard to HHW. Overall results show the great risk associated with HHW given that under aged are transferring SW from home to container (40.2%) with high involved risk of accident; containers in some cases are more than 150 m away from home (19%) increasing the aforementioned potential risk. In 18.5% of houses, there was an accident related to HHW risks which are, namely, injuries (42%), poisoning (36%), burns (22%), etc.