The increasing use of untreated pig slurry as an organic amendment in Kozah 1 (Togo) raises environmental and public health concerns. A preliminary survey revealed that 80% of farmers apply raw slurry directly to crops, while 20% discharge it into the environment, from where it is often collected by market gardeners. This study assesses the fertilizing potential and toxicity risks associated with such practices. Samples were collected from ten randomly selected pig farms in Lama canton, a zone dominated by small-scale artisanal pig farming. In each pit, stratified sampling targeted the surface, middle, and bottom layers using a sterile bucket mounted on a 1.5-meter pole. Each layer (500 mL) was homogenized into a composite sample per site. Samples were kept at 4°C until physico-chemical and microbiological analyses. The slurry showed a high organic matter content (730 ± 1.1 g/kgDM) and macronutrients (N = 21 ± 0.2, P₂O₅ = 25 ± 0.2, K₂O = 38 ± 0.4 g/kgDM), but a low C/N ratio (5.2), indicating instability. Pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella) and elevated nitrate and phosphate levels were also detected, suggesting health and water pollution risks. The findings underscore the need for pretreatment methods such as co-composting to reduce pathogenic loads and stabilize nutrients for safer agricultural use.

Increasing the use of healthcare facilities has resulted in the growing production of biomedical waste, which poses health risks to users, health professionals, and the environment. The aim of this research is to study the correlation between governance in Togo’s public health facilities and the quality of biomedical waste management within these facilities. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study conducted from September to December 2024. It involved 264 public health facilities of all types in all health regions of Togo. Health facilities were selected using the simple random selection technique. Healthcare providers were selected using the reasoned choice technique. The statistical tests used were the chi-square test and logistic regression, which enabled proportions to be compared and confounding factors to be eliminated, respectively. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant association between the organization and training component of governance and the quality of biomedical waste management (BMWM) in health facilities (OR = 3.79; 95% CI [1.79–8.03]; p < 0.001). This relationship suggests that health facilities with functional infection prevention and control (ICP) or BMWM committees, trained staff at all levels (nursing, technical, and administrative), and dedicated waste management personnel are more likely to implement compliant waste management practices. Analyses of the data also revealed that, among the criteria for assessing the quality of biomedical waste management (BMWM), the most significant were sorting (OR = 1.482; 95% CI [1.286; 1.708]), quantification (OR = 2.026; 95% CI [1.491; 2.753]), transportation (OR = 1.403; 95% CI [1.187; 1.66]), and disposal infrastructure (OR = 1.604; 95% CI [1.298; 1.982]). The application of this grid shows that 17.8% of the health facilities surveyed had a score equal to or above 80% on all the criteria used to assess the quality of biomedical waste management, and they were therefore managing waste in an “acceptable” manner. The study highlights key findings in biomedical waste management practices, providing actionable insights for improving public health safety.

One of the consequences of the improvement of the living conditions of the populations is the strong demand in thermal energy for the households whereas in the developing countries, the cost of living is a brake with all the social layers to reach supply of butane gas for their energy needs. This study takes place in the context of energy, environmental and sanitation challenges in the city of Sokodé. Indeed, we are witnessing more and more growing needs for butane gas, firewood or charcoal for cooking or lighting in the city of Sokodé as everywhere in other cities of the same size. Thus by the production of energy in situ, the condition of the populations will be able to improve significantly thanks to the recovery of sludge and fermentable fractions of solid waste into biogas. The objective of this work is to produce and recover methane from fermentable waste produced in the city of Sokodé. The methane or biogas recovered will be used as fuel to fuel kitchens in households. The resulting digestate will serve as an organic amendment to agricultural soils in the commune of Sokodé. Laboratory scale tests have been carried out to validate the value of co-digestion of sewage sludge with fermentable solid waste. The results obtained have shown that the methanogenic potential of sewage sludge is low compared to that of fermentable solid waste. The co-digestion of the two products allows a greater production of methane representing an energy gain compared to the methanisation of the sewage sludge alone. This study shows that waste (sludge from public septic tanks, waste from markets, hotels and fermentable households) can be considered an appreciable energy resource. Their Co-treatment would, while reducing the nuisance associated with this waste, produce valuable energy.

This innovative study assesses the environmental and health risks associated with the use of chemical coating products in the commune of Tchaoudjo 1 (Togo), a context marked by informality and the absence of strict regulations. It combines, in an unprecedented way, field surveys of artisans, chemical analyses of commonly used products (paints, varnishes, mastics, thinners) and a comparison with international standards. The results reveal a high use of solvent-based products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals (chromium, lead, mercury). Waste management is alarming: 100% of liquid residues are discharged into the open air and 85% of plastic waste is burned, promoting the dispersion of toxic pollutants. The study highlights previously poorly documented risks, such as the presence of hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺), a carcinogen, and the domestic storage of hazardous substances. Although measured concentrations generally remain below regulatory thresholds, their accumulation and persistence represent a serious threat. By filling a significant regional knowledge gap, this research provides essential baseline data for public policies, while highlighting the urgent need for regulatory, awareness-raising, and substitution measures.

The Kara University Hospital generates an average of 17133.1 m 3 of wastewater per year. These hospital effluents contain specific substances likely to disseminate pathogenic germs. The objective of the study is to assess the risks associated with the poor management of hospital effluents from the Kara University Hospital. The study involved the characterization of the effluents. The results obtained show that in addition to the temperature and the hydrogen potential (pH), the values of the other physico-chemical parameters in particular, suspended solids (SS) (58.07 mg/L) and nitrates (84.79 mg/L) exceed the discharge standards of World Health Organization (WHO). The values of the microbiological parameters sought, in particular total coliforms (1.106 CFU/100 mL), thermotolerant coliforms (4.105 CFU/100 mL), sulphite-reducing anaerobes (3.6103 CFU/100 mL) and faecal streptococci (5.103 CFU/100 mL) exceed the discharge standards accepted by the WHO. Exposed individuals were identified through an exposure level assessment matrix. The analysis shows that at the production stage, healthcare personnel are the most exposed with a critical rate of 64% (16/25); at the evacuation stage, the workers in charge of evacuation show a moderate exposure level of 48% (12/25). After disposal in nature, populations living near landfill areas are the most exposed with a rate of 48% (12/25). After disposal in nature, populations living near landfill areas are the most exposed with a rate of 48% (12/25). The wearing of personal protective equipment by staff and the establishment of a treatment plant will reduce the risks and ensure sustainable management of effluents from the Kara University Hospital.

The management of fecal sludge is a recurrent problem for the actors in charge of the urban environment of Sokodé. Often, the sludge emptied is poured on empty spaces or used, without treatment, on urban and suburban agricultural land and for market gardening; in fact, a survey of market gardeners in the city of Sokodé found that around 40% of them directly use untreated dried sludge to amend their production areas. Consequently, bacteria and worm eggs can adhere to vegetable products and infect consumers. In view of these potential risks, the objective of this work was then to stabilize the organic matter of dried sludge with a view to their hygienic use for the agricultural amendment. In this research it has been developed compost obtained from fermentable fractions of household waste and compost obtained from the fermentable fractions of household waste with sludge (co-composting). Results have shown that both types of compost have a high content of nutrients, which is an advantage for use in the agriculture. Therefore, the assessment of stability and maturity parameters shows that co-composted sludge produces mature compost and can improve soil fertility without biological risk.Keywords: Bacteria, worm eggs, sludge, organic materials, market gardening.