The socio economic and environmental health impact of charcoal burning on the community :

Abstract

The study was on assessing the socio economic and environmental health impacts of charcoal' burning on the community in Omoro sub county Alebtong District. The study was focused on the human health risks of the people due to charcoal burning in this area. The study objectives were to identify the factors driving, people into charcoal burning, to assess the effects of charcoal burning and, to assess the benefits derived from charcoal burning. A cross sectional study was used which involved use of questionnaires covering seventy-five (75) respondents. Data collected was analyzed using excel and SSPS 16; this facilitated the formation of frequency tables. The study findings indicated that it is mostly poverty (94.7%) and the existence of the tree species known as cheer butter trees (62.7%) that drive most people into charcoal. The study findings also indicated that the community is mostly affected by cough and lung cancer as a result of smoke and dusts at the time of burning wood and packing the charcoal in sacks. It was found out that the burning heats up the body which dries the blood from the body resulting. into Pneumonia. The findings also indicated that the majority of the people get school fees for their children from charcoal burning and it was also found out that there is high crop productivity in areas where charcoal has been made. In Conclusion, charcoal burning as one of the economic activities carried out in Omoro sub county places the health of the people at risk because lung cancer which is found to be as a result of smoke and dusts getting trapped in the lung causes lung cancer in the long run and can spare nobody as it is concentrated in the atmosphere and consumed by anyone though the charcoal burners are at a higher risk. There may also be extinction of shea butter trees and yet its nuts are used for making oil which is medicinal and most recommended for consumption. Thus, the researcher recommends that the government should find ways of diverting people's mind-sets to other economic activities other than charcoal burning.