Conclusion
This pilot study has linked environmental pollution to public health. Soil samples analyzed from locations adjacent and within the dumpsite show high levels of heavy metals emanating from the site in particular lead, mercury, cadmium,copper and chromium. At the same time, a medical evaluation of the children and adolescents living and schooling near the dumpsite indicates a high incidence of
diseases that are associated with high exposure levels to these metal pollutants.For example, about 50% of children examined who live and school near the dumpsite had respiratory ailments and blood lead levels equal to or exceeding internationally accepted toxic levels (10 µg/dl of blood), while 30% had size and staining abnormalities of their red blood cells, confirming high exposure to heavy metal poisoning.