Impact of creosote treatment plant in human health in Kampala district, Uganda.

Abstract

Most of the treated utility poles in Uganda are treated using Creosote chemical in order to prolong the service life of the poles. The creosote used in the treatment process has an effect on the human health which is through the direct contact or inhalation of the toxic substance. A sample population of 60 respondents was selected including 20 industry workers and 40 people that are found within vicinity of the pole treatment plant. Human health problems included the respiratory illness, eyes itching and skin irritation. Factors such as the distance, length of exposure to the creosote highly determined effect of creosote on people that is to say increased exposure to the creosote and people living near or within the creosote treatment will arise the risk of attaining health problems. However, no association was found between the years of stay around the creosote treatment plant and the health problems such as cancer that sur face in the long run. Complaints such as poor air quality, government entity, harboring of the dangerous animals, mild headaches and ignorance of the short- and long-term effects that arise from the creosote treatment plant. Efforts such as wearing masks, reduced time at work, drinking milk and construction of well aerated buildings a\have been put in place to ensure a safe environment. Wastes such waste soil, waste water and waste poles are disposed off through different methods such as the selling off the wasted poles, attaining contractors to take the polluted soil to landfills and use of the sedimentation method on the waste water in the industry