This dataset reports solid waste abundance and composition data from households and commercial activities expressed in number of items, weight or volume for Vanuatu. It reports the results of interviews done when solid waste samples were collected to gather metadata about household occupants social and behavioural metadata, including the fate of solid waste not collected through the official waste management service.
Based on literature review and meetings with community residents, acute health effects from ambient particulates on airway, mucosa, and skin of residents, especially neonates and infants, are strongly suspected. Previous studies on environmental impacts of phosphate mining also indicate a potential contamination with radionuclide including radon and radon progeny and effects on cancer developments including lung cancer, leukemia. In addition to these, cadmium contamination of air, water, and biota should also be included as a potential threat to Aiwo community and nearby districts.