Health, Survival, and Pollution: Battling Garbage and Pollution in Dandora Slums
In the sprawling Dandora dumpsite on the outskirts of Nairobi, a grim reality unfolds daily. Stretching over 30 acres, this open dumping ground receives waste from the entire Nairobi region. It has become an epicenter of environmental injustice, where the poorest of Nairobi’s population—residents of Korogocho, Baba Ndogo, Mathare, and Dandora—are forced to live and scavenge amidst toxic waste. The Dandora dumpsite represents a stark example of environmental racism, where marginalized communities suffer the health consequences of hazardous waste exposure in exchange for survival.This photo story delves into the health implications of the rampant air and garbage pollution in the Dandora slums. It also highlights the community’s resilience as they navigate the intertwined challenges of pollution and poverty.
The Mountains of Waste
Standing at the heart of Dandora, the dumpsite is an overwhelming sight—a sea of garbage stretching endlessly across the horizon. Heaps of waste, both domestic and industrial, tower over makeshift homes and businesses. Smoke from burning plastics and other toxic materials fills the air. These images illustrate the magnitude of the problem as scavengers sift through the trash to find anything of value.” Dandora dumpsite, where toxic waste meets desperation”.
Breathing in Toxins
Air pollution in the Dandora slums is a silent but deadly killer. The constant burning of waste releases harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, exposing residents to toxic fumes. The result is a growing health crisis, with respiratory illnesses, skin conditions, and other ailments on the rise. Smoke from burning plastics and other toxic materials fills the air. These images illustrates the magnitude of the problem as scavengers sift through the trash to find anything of value.
“Dandora dumpsite, where toxic waste meets desperation, with smoke from burning plastics and chemical waste adding to the air pollution crisis”.
Children of Dandora
Children are among the most vulnerable in Dandora. Some children will spend their days scavenging for recyclables or food in the dumpsite, unknowingly exposing themselves to dangerous chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Studies have confirmed the presence of these hazardous elements, which pose a serious threat to human health. The photo everyday life of children in dandora.Children of dandora on a normal late evening.
Water Pollution and Waste Disposal
The Dandora dumpsite’s impact isn’t limited to the air—it also pollutes water sources in and around the slums. With medical and industrial waste dumped indiscriminately, water contamination is rampant. Residents rely on piped water, which are often not very well maintained. This image depicts polluted stream, highlighting the dangers posed by contaminated water supplies.Residents wash in polluted stream in Dandora, where toxic waste from the dumpsite has seeped into the local water sources.
Survival Amidst the Waste
Despite the overwhelming pollution and health hazards, many residents rely on Dandora for survival. Scavenging has become a way of life for some, who sell recyclable materials to earn a meager income. This images show young men and women carefully sorting through waste, faces telling a story of both determination and exhaustion. For many, scavenging offers the only opportunity to put food on the table, all but at a great cost to their health.Young men and women sifts through garbage at Dandora dumpsite, seeking recyclables to sell—a dangerous but essential way of making a living.
The Waste Recyclers
Adaptation strategies have emerged within these communities. Informal waste recycling has become a source of both survival and resilience. Organized groups collect, sort, and sell recyclable materials to earn a living, offering a glimpse of hope in an otherwise grim situation. This photo shows a mountain of gathered piles of sorted plastics and metals, preparing to sell their finds.
