Abstract
The study aims to define the scope and present the guideline of research methodology for health impact assessment of Khon Kaen City Municipal solid waste policy using the literature reviews, field work study, interviewing and getting data from stakeholders’ participation of the group meeting. Results revealed that Khon Kaen City Municipality has a 100 Rai disposal site at Khum Bon Village, Non Ton sub-district, 17 km far from Khon Kaen City in Udonthani province direction. The disposal site has operated since 1968 and was latest improved in 1986. The disposal system was combination designed, consisting of a sanitary landfill, an infectious incinerator, and a composing plant. However, they could dispose solid waste occasionally and the operation was not followed to the design. Thus, these could cause to the environment impacts and human health. Moreover, the land of disposal site is nearly over because of the increasing of solid waste, about 200 tons/day. This site has to be rehabilitated for 5 years extension and it must find out the new disposal area. The stakeholders of solid waste management identified as 1) municipal solid waste workers, personnel group 2) group of communities, people who live near the disposal site 3) private occupation with solid waste group: scrap merchant, scrap collectors at disposal site, scraper using tricycle (Sa-Leng) and 4) the administrative group related to solid waste management and policy. The physical health impact from solid waste was found as gastro enteric disease, respiratory tract disease, infectious disease, skin disease, allergic disease, injury from vehicle accident, sharpen objects which occurred to the person who worked, direct contacted with solid waste. Metal and social health impacts were found as the stress, worrying, low society, dirty, etc. Spiritual health impact was indicated that lacking the responsibility, recognition on solid waste management, feeling of self-reliance. Positive impacts were found that the scrapers, workers could make money from the scrap and they were proud of reducing, recycling, reuse, renew the solid waste. Scope and methodology for health impact assessment of Khon Kaen City Municipal solid waste management can identify as three categories. The first is health impact assessment of population studies (stakeholders): a) municipal solid waste workers, personnel group, b) group of communities, people who live near the disposal site c) private occupation with solid waste group: scrap merchant, scrap collectors at disposal site, scraper using tricycle (Sa-Leng) and d) the administrative group related to solid waste management and policy. Health impacts cover physical, mental, social and spiritual health such as sickness, stress, self responsibility, worrying, recognition, social relationships, morale, citizens participation etc. The second is assessment of environmental quality that impacts also to human health. These consider the air, water, soil qualities at the disposal site and the area around 2 km nearby. At the solid waste discharge point and the transfer station should consider the visual sighting, air quality. And the third is assessment of the linkage of environment and health analysis for decision-making.
