ABSTRACT
The generation of solid waste has become an increasing environmental and public health problem everywhere in the world, particularly in developing countries. The fast expansion of urban, agricultural and industrial activities spurred by rapid population growth and the change in consumer habits has produced vast amounts of solid wastes (Akoteyon et al. 2011). Open dumps are the oldest and the most common way of disposing of solid waste. In recent years thousands have been closed, while many still are being used. In many cases, they are located wherever land is available, without regard to safety, health hazard and esthetic degradation. The waste is often piled as high as equipment allows. In some instances, the refuse is ignited and allowed to burn. In others, the refuse is periodically leveled and compacted (Sabahi et al. 2009). The dumping of solid waste
in uncontrolled landfills can cause significant impacts on the environment and human health (Dong et al. 2008). The most commonly reported danger to the human health from these landfills is from the use of groundwater that has been contaminated by leachate (Jhamnani and Singh 2009).
