HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY
SBA
THE EFFECT OF BURNING GARBAGE IN
BARBADIAN NEIGHBOURHOODS
Candidate Name: Mike Oxley
Candidate No: 11111111
Date of Submission: 30 March 2024
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
SBAS TO MARK
1
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background/Overview of Issue
Problem Statement
Research Objective
Methodology
Presentation of Data
Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reflection
Bibliography
Appendices
…………………………………
…………………………………
…………………………………
………………………………….
…………………………………
…………………………………
…………………………………
………………………………......
…………………………………..
……………………………………
……………………………………
2
2
2
2
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
SBAS TO MARK
2
BACKGROUND/OVERVIEW OF ISSUE
All around Barbados, people burn garbage and dead cuttings from their
gardens, sometimes they even burn dead animals. This is very bad for people with
asthma.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Burning garbage in a neighbourhood causes negative effects on health.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
To determine if burning affects the health of people.
METHODOLOGY
My group decided to use a questionnaire because it is easy to use. We decided to
survey the students in two fifth forms at our school. A total of 50 students. It took
us a week to collect all of the questionnaires we gave out.
The questionnaire asked students 2 questions.
1. How often did people burn garbage in their neighbourhood?
2. What effect does burning have on those persons who are affected?
PRESENTATION OF DATA
Table showing the frequency of garbage burning in Barbados
Number of times garbage is burnt
Frequency
Percentage/%
Every day
5
10
Once a week
25
50
Once a month
16
32
Never
4
8
TOTAL
50
100
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
SBAS TO MARK
3
Table showing effects of smoke on students
Effect
Frequency
Burning Eyes
10
Coughing
30
Headache
15
Asthma Attack
5
None
2
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
SBAS TO MARK
4
ANALSYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
In 50 % of the neighbourhoods, garbage is burned once a week. In 32 % of
the neighbourhoods, garbage is burned once a month. The main effect of burning
garbage was coughing with 48.4 %, followed by headaches (24.2 %) and burning
eyes (16.1 %). The burning of garbage also caused asthma attacks in 8.1 % of the
students questioned only 3.2 % of the students were not affected by the smoke.
The burning of garbage produces smoke which can get into the eyes and
lungs of persons. Our results show that too much burning takes place in
neighbourhoods and the effects on health are clear. Smoke in particular can affect
the lungs. In an article, it was said that the burning of residential garbage produced
many pollutants, which affected health.
● Smoke which gets deep into the lungs and can trigger asthma attacks,
wheezing and chest pain
● Dioxin which is carcinogenic
● Hexachlorobenzene which can damage the liver and kidneys
● Formaldehyde which can affect breathing
● Hydrogen chloride which can affect the lungs
● Carbon monoxide
CONCLUSION
Burning garbage affects the health of most students in their neighbourhoods,
mainly causing coughing.
RECOMMENDATIONS
More public service announcements should be made to inform people on the new
laws regarding burning in Barbados. Students can encourage people in their
neighbourhoods to recycle garbage and make compost heaps.
REFLECTION
I never knew that so many harmful chemicals were produced from burning
household garbage. I showed my report to my father and he has stopped burning
garbage at home. We built a composter and will start using it to make compost
from the kitchen scraps, cut grass and other garden trimmings.
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY WORKSHOP
SBAS TO MARK
5
BIBLIOGRAPHY
NHDES Fact Sheet: Burning of Residential Trash
https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/a
rd-33.pdf
APPENDIX
HUMAN AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY
QUESTIONNAIRE
THE EFFECT OF BURNING GARBAGE IN BARBADOS
Please complete the questionnaire by ticking the box which refers to you.
1. How often do people burn garbage in your neighbourhood?
Every day
Once a week
Once a month
Never
2.
How are you affected by garbage burning? Tick the ones that apply.
Burning eyes
Coughing
Headache
Asthma attack
None
Any other effect?
Thank-you for completing the questionnaire.