Expert Harps on Need for Proper E-Waste Management to Protect Nigerian Communities
Tosin Clegg
Seasoned environmental expert, Okafor Esther, has harped on the devastating impact of improper e-waste management in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for reform to protect vulnerable communities.
Disclosing this in a media statement recently, she underscored the need for Nigeria to establish a robust e-waste management system to mitigate dire health and environmental consequences.
She asserts that Nigeria’s informal e-waste dumpsites are polluting soil, water, and food crops, exposing communities to toxic contamination.
Her research revealed high levels of heavy metals in farmland near e-waste sites, including lead, cadmium, and nickel.
“Many people in these areas consume these crops daily, unaware they are ingesting toxic substances,” she explained. “This is a slow-moving public health disaster.”
Esther’s research provides a comprehensive assessment of e-waste-induced contamination in Nigerian agriculture.
Her findings show that the concentration of toxic metals exceeds the safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) by a large margin.
The research specifically revealed that vegetables grown near e-waste dumps, such as okra, scent leaf, and maize, contain hazardous levels of lead, cadmium, and nickel.
These metals leach into the soil, are absorbed by plants, and enter the food chain, putting entire communities at serious long-term health risk.
Esther’s study also highlights the alarming levels of lead, cadmium, and nickel in the soil and crops.
Lead was detected in all tested samples, linked to neurological disorders, kidney disease, and developmental issues in children.
Cadmium was found in high concentrations in scent leaf and pumpkin leaf, associated with kidney failure, bone disorders, and cancer.
Nickel was present in high levels in okra and maize, a potential carcinogen that can cause respiratory diseases and skin disorders.
The presence of these toxic metals in the food chain poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of Nigerian communities.
To address this crisis, the expert recommends establishing proper e-waste management systems, launching public awareness campaigns, regulating e-waste imports, and implementing soil remediation efforts.
“The government must take decisive action,” she emphasized. “Without stronger policies, entire generations will face serious health risks.”
Esther’s work has sparked discussions among environmental scientists, public health officials, and policymakers, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Dr. Theophilus Johnson, an environmental health specialist at Federal University Otuoke, praised Okafor’s work, stating: “Her research highlights a crisis that has been ignored for too long. Nigeria must act now to prevent widespread health consequences.”
She concluded, “This is a global problem, and we need global action to ensure that no community is left to suffer from toxic pollution.”
Esther without a doubt is a seasoned and dedicated environmental researcher with a strong passion for promoting sustainable practices and protecting public health.
