Abstract

MOSQUERA-BECERRA, Janeth; GOMEZ-GUTIERREZ, Olga L  and  MENDEZ-PAZ, Fabián. Impact perception on health, social and physical environments of the municipal solid waste disposal site in Cali. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2009, vol.11, n.4, pp.549-558. ISSN 0124-0064.

Objective Describing the self-perceived impact on health of people living near to a solid waste disposal site in Cali and on their physical and social environments. Methods In addition to a cohort study, qualitative research was carried out to explore experiences amongst 16 residents in leadership positions in their communities. Seven semi-structured interviews and one focus group were conducted. Thematic analysis was developed using thematic networks to identify recurrent patterns related to theexperience of living in proximity to the solid waste disposal dump. Results Participants perceived respiratory health problems as mainly arising from the sickening odours emanating form the Navarro dump. The area has also developed a bad reputation (“stigma”) because of the exasperating odours, flies and the close view of waste disposal. Conclusions Participants perceived the Navarro dump had a negative impact on their physical health and also that its bad reputation in the neighbourhood had effects on the social and physical environment of people living close to the solid waste disposal dump.

Keywords : Risk, garbage; refuse disposal; environmental impact.

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