Introduction
The inappropriate disposal and burning of garbage in the Stock Farm Community has been a
great concern. In my community individuals burn garbage and dump waste in the community
and this has contributed to health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
(2021), exposure to air pollution from burning garbage is responsible for an estimated seven
million deaths worldwide each year. In my research I will try and identify the effects of the
burning of garbage in the Stock Farm community. Furthermore, some members of the
community themselves burn garbage in their homes, worsening the issue and as such, many
residents have suffered from respiratory diseases. The purpose of this SBA is to highlight these
issues and find ways to alleviate the problem and develop a safer and better environment for
persons of the Stock Farm community to live in.
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Problem Statement
The burning of garbage in the Stock Farm community leads to negative health effects for the
residents.
2
Research Objective
To identify the effects of the burning of garbage on the health of residents in the Stock Farm
community.
3
Methodology
In this research the instrument used for data collection were questionnaires. Questionnaires are
an effective and less expensive way to obtain information from respondents. However, there are
some disadvantages of using questionnaire, such as the risk of loss or misinformation and
dishonest answers affecting results gathered from the research. This research aim is to find out t
the causes of dumping garbage in the Stock Farm community and the way it affects the
individuals in the community.
A total of 20 questionnaires were given to individuals in the community, and completed
responses were received. The findings of this research will be analyzed to make decision-making
and come up with effective strategies to address this issue. Questionnaires were given to ten (10)
Adults, five (6) young adults, and five (4) teenagers with ages ranging from 16-40.
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Presentation of Data
PIE CHART SHOWING HOW REGULARLY
GSARBBAGE IS BURNY IN THE COMMUNITY
RARELY
ON A DAILY BASIS
11%
22%
ONCE WEEKLY
22%
RARELY
ONCE WEEKLY
MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK
MORE THAN ONCE
A WEEK
45%
ON A DAILY BASIS
Figure 1. A Pie chart showing how regularly garbage is being burnt in the community.
RESPONSES
BAR CHART SHOWING THE IF THE RESIDENTS THINK
THAT THE BURNING OF GARBAGE HAS A NEGATIVE
EFFECT ON THIER COMMUNITY
Maybe
No
Yes
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS
Figure 2. A bar chart that shows the percentage of people in the community that think that
garbage burning has a negative effect on the community.
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PIE CHART SHOWING SOME OF THE REASONS WHY PERSONS
BURN GARBBAGE IN THE COMMUNITY OF STOCK FARM
LACK OF ACCESS
TO PROPER SKIPS
7%
LAZINESS
13%
LACK OF VISITS
FROM
GARBBAGE
TRUCKS
60%
UNAWARENESS
OF ITS NEGSTIVE
IMPACTS
20%
Figure 3. Pie chart showing the main causes for burning garbage in the community according to
the respondents.
BAR CHART SHOWING THE HEALTH ISSUES EXPERIENCED BY
THE RESIDENTS
RESPONSES
Nausea
Coughing & Headaches
Eyes & Nose irritations
Respiratory problems
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
PERCENTAGE OF RESPONSES
Figure 4. Bar graph showing the health issues experienced by the residents.
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50%
60%
Analysis and Interpretation
The burning of garbage as a method of getting rid of garbage is a serious problem in the Sock
Farm community based on the research the research as done . The majority (45%) of residents
have observed garbage being burnt daily, with 22% sees it several times a week and once a
week, and 11% rarely. A large portion of the of the respondents (50%) think that the burning of
garbage has a negative effect on their community, while 30% responded with said that it may
have a negative effect and 20% said "no." Lack of visits from the garbage trucks was mentioned
by 60% of respondents as the main reason for burning garbage, while 20% stated that it was
because of the lack of awareness of the negative consequences burning garbage has., 13% stated
that the cause was laziness, and 7% said it was because of the lack of access to proper waste
disposal facilities. Some of the effects felt from burning garbage are feeling nauseous with 5%
of residents, 35% suffered coughing and headaches, 50% having eye and nose irritations, and
10% experiencing respiratory problems.
Burning of garbage is seen to be a major issue in the community of Stock Farm, with
negative effects on the health of its residents. Based on finding from the research laziness and
inadequate skips are major contributing factors to the burning og garbage it the Stock Farm
community. It was also found that the burning garbage leads to various health problems such as
respiratory problems, headaches, and eye and nose irritations.
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Conclusion
This School-based Assessment explores the issue of burning garbage in the Mount Ogle
community and it can be concluded that it does have an impact on health.
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Recommendations
I recommend that there should be an awareness about the negative impacts of burning garbage
by educating the residence of the community of Stock Farm.
I recommend that there be greater access to proper disposal facilities.
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Reflection
After conducting this research, I have come to understand that burning garbage releases
poisonous chemicals into the environment, which can lead to respiratory and other diseases.
A valid lesson learnt from this research is how important it is to manage your garbage properly.
Personal after doing this research I can apply in my daily life to being more aware of my
waste disposal practices and encourage proper waste management in my community.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
 https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/st-james-residents-turning-burning-illegaldumping-garbage.
 https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/outsiders-dumping-garbage-here-st-andrewfarmers-complain/.
 https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20220528/holness-urges-kintyre-takestand-against-illegal-dumping
 https://jis.gov.jm/stiffer-penalties-coming-for-improper-waste-disposal/
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Appendices
Questionnaire
What is your gender?
 Male
 Female
What is your occupation?
 Employed
 Self-employed
 Unemployed
 Student
Have you noticed garbage being burnt in your community?
 Yes
 No
How often do you smell garbage burning in your community?
 Daily
 More than once a week
 Once a week
 Rarely
 Never
Do you think the burning of garbage has negative effect on your community?
 Yes
 No
 Maybe
What do you think are the main reasons for burning garbage in the Stock Farm community?
 Lack of access to proper waste disposal facilities
 Laziness.
 Unawareness about the negative effects of burning garbage
 Lack of visits from garbage trucks
Have you ever experienced any respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness
of breath after being exposed to burning garbage?
 Yes
 No
What kind of health issues have you or someone you know experienced?
 Respiratory problems
 Eyes & Nose irritations
 Coughing & Headaches
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 Nausea
How concerned are you about the effects of burning garbage in your community?
 Very concerned
 Somewhat concerned.
 Not very concerned
 Not concerned at all
What processes do you think could be taken to reduce the negative effects of burning garbage on
the health of residents in your community?
 Increased enforcement of laws against burning garbage
 Improved waste management practices
 Education and awareness campaigns
 Increased efficiency of garbage collection
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