Nigeria is facing serious environmental and public health risks from rising levels of toxic metals, including chromium, lead and cadmium, an environmental health expert, Prof. Adewale Taiwo, has warned.
Taiwo, a Professor of Environmental Health and Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said elevated concentrations of cadmium and chromium in the soil could have serious implications for human health.
He attributed the development largely to the indiscriminate disposal of industrial waste, noting that pollutants from poorly managed industrial activities could seep into the soil and eventually contaminate food products.
The professor spoke while presenting a paper titled, “Health, Safety and Environment, Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability,” at a workshop on environmental sustainability.
He also raised concerns over the increasing use of chemicals in food production and preservation, warning that unsafe practices could expose Nigerians to serious health risks.
“We are standing in serious danger of food poisoning. Even cement is now being used as preservatives for some of our crops,” he said.
Taiwo identified lead and some chemicals contained in perfumes among other pollutants capable of posing health risks. He noted that certain chemicals could have persistent effects on the environment and human health.
He called on industries, manufacturers and farmers to adopt and adhere to scientifically established reference doses for chemicals and other potentially hazardous substances.
According to him, such limits should be guided by international regulatory frameworks developed by bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).
Taiwo, however, urged Nigeria to develop its own reference doses that take into account the country’s local environmental, agricultural and public health conditions.
Speaking on “From Linear Economy to Circular Economy Solutions: Green Financing and Accessing Climate Funds,” Prof. John Oyedepo identified access to funding as one of the major challenges confronting the transition to a circular economy.
He said the green economy offered practical alternatives through recycling, efficient resource utilisation and improved waste management.
Oyedepo urged companies to embrace green-economy practices, saying the approach could improve environmental wellbeing while reducing waste and promoting more efficient use of resources.
Earlier, the Zonal Director of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Mrs. Angela Iwobi, underscored the importance of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) management in achieving environmental sustainability.
Iwobi said the workshop, organised by NESREA in collaboration with Accappocco Global Services Ltd., was designed to educate companies and other operators on the importance of embracing the green economy and complying with emerging environmental standards.
She said a green economy could contribute to reducing pollution and addressing other environmental challenges, stressing the need for stronger health, safety and environmental management practices in the South-South zone.
Iwobi warned that NESREA would enforce stipulated environmental standards, urging companies and other operators in the sector to comply strictly with existing regulations.
She explained that the workshop was also aimed at familiarising operators and companies with new environmental standards and equipping them with practical tools to improve compliance and environmental management.
Blessing Ibunge
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