Existing land use and extent of lead (Pb) contamination in the grazing food chain of the closed Carmona sanitary landfill in the Philippines

The sanitary landfill located in Carmona, Cavite, Philippines operated from April 30, 1993, to March 31, 1998, is now closed and abandoned. Abandoning sanitary landfill without proper remediation and rehabilitation efforts pose risks to both humans and the environment. At present, only grasses and shrubs thrive in the area, and no rehabilitation efforts were made in this area. The closed landfill is nonfunctional except to the nearby inhabitants who use the abundant vegetation for grazing of animals such as cows, goats, and chicken. The possibility of heavy metal accumulation in the area is expected but is yet to determine. Likewise, its utilization into productive use remains a question. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the existing land use, extent of lead (Pb) contamination in the soil and the grazing food chain of the area and, recommend the most practical and appropriate use of the place. Understanding the dangers it can bring to nearby communities can be used as a reference for putting forward plans and policies to protect people's welfare. Although the soil has an average of 1.36 ppm that is within the standard set by the US EPA, the level of Pb observed in plants, insects and chicken's liver are unsafe as compared to the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Pb set by the US FDA. The soil can be converted into non-play areas such as a recreational park, but the planting of edible crops and fruit-bearing trees is not recommended.