jzs-10641

Assessing health risks to local population from contamination sources in and around Sulaimani province; a qualitative study 

Nasih Othman1, Thomas Kane2, Karzan Mohammed Hawrami3*, Karwan Alkaradaghi1, Faisal Abdullah Salih4, Tareq hama amin Abdullah3, Kawa Khwa Rahim  Hamafaraj3 and Tara Ali1

1 Kurdistan Institution for Strategic Studies and Scientific Research, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

2 William Jointer Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences, University of Massachusetts, Boston

3 Sulaimani Polytechnic University Research Center(SPURC), University of Sulaimani,  Kurdistan Region, Iraq

4   Technical college of Health, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Original: 20 December 2017, Revised: 20 February 2018, Accepted: 13 March 2018, Published online: 20 March 2018

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.17656/jzs.10641

Abstract

There are many physical, chemical and biological agents either naturally present or produced by human activity that can be hazardous for human health. Environmental pollution in and around Sulaymaniyah city is caused by several factors including untreated wastewater, contaminated agricultural fields, untreated solid waste, industrial waste and contamination of Tanjaro River and Darbandikhan Lake from these sources of pollution. Populations, especially those living closer to the above-mentioned pollution sources are at risk of both short and long-term effects of biological, physical and chemical contaminants, especially south of the city and around Tanjaro River and Darbandikhan Lake. Neglecting these problems means that buildup of contaminants in the environment and endangering population health will continue. Monitoring and responding to environmental health hazards requires collaborative efforts of relevant departments, professional institutions, NGOs, community-based organizations and affected populations. To reduce risk of water-borne diseases is strengthening water management in relation to maintaining quality while the ultimate solution to wastewater pollution is establishment of sewerage treatment plants. Solid waste is a major problem and the ultimate solution is recycling and the establishment of a controlled landfill in an area. Immediate measures need to be taken to prevent further pollution of the Tanjaro River, by isolating the polluting sources. Industrial activities need to be regulated and monitored in terms of environmental and occupational safety operations and standards. Using Sulaymaniyah wastewater for farming must be prohibited by law and enforced. Protection of Darbandikhan Lake from major sources of pollution should be made a higher priority and measures should be taken as soon as possible to isolate and minimize major pollutants. There is also a need for extensive research and the establishment of sustained research systems on population health and environmental pollutants, especially in relation to the food chain, and the Tanjaro River, Darbandikhan Lake and air pollution. If urgent consideration is not given to the above areas and problems, the situation may get considerably worse in the coming years.

Keywords: Health risk assessment, drinking water, liquid waste diposal, solid waste diposal and industrial pollution 

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