By Tare Youdeowei

Dr. Adeiga Adesina of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, has called for the empowerment of the population on health education and environmental management.

Speaking at the Society for   Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation, SETPOM, conference held at University of Lagos, Adesina said empowerng the populace will go a long way in preparing them for personal concerns and for social responsibilities.

Stating that the public health concerns highlighted are issues that should not be neglected by government and individuals to safeguard the health of the population, Dr Adesina provided the concerns thus; “Particulate matter is produced from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. It is a concern as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and blood stream and it is dangerous at any concentration. It is carcinogenic.

“Ground level ozone (O3) emission is an dangerous air pollutant. It causes damages to human health and crops. Air pollution by pollens and spores of plants do cause conjunctivitis and increased rate of asthmatic crisis in asthma patients.

“Cigarette smoking and air pollution from combustion of coal and gasoline contain reactive chemicals that can cause oxidative stress and inflammatory changes in respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

“Pollution from cigarette and high level of air pollution have been associated with altered semen quality and DNA damage in sperm.

“Women whose husbands were working in a fungicide manufacturing plant complained that they were not getting pregnant. Investigation revealed that there was association between the man’s exposure to dibromochloropropane (DBCP) and their low sperm count. Chronic exposure to acrylamide gel can damage spermatogenia and spermatocytes and this indirectly impairs fertility by arresting spermatogenesis.

“It has been reported that long exposure to pesticides has been associated with developing Parkinson’s disease. Prenatal exposure to heavy metals including mercury, lead and arsenic have been found to be associated with increased brain damage, neurodevelopmental problems, congenital malformations, miscarriages and low birth weight.

Land use charge

“Land use change and deforestation can bring people closer to wildlife, allowing previously unknown diseases to spread to humans e.g. Ebola, Lassa and Lyme disease.

“Overcrowding resulting from urban migration, poverty or displacement due to conflict or natural disaster aids disease transmission. Neglect of public health facilities and infrastructure can lead to poor, unreliable and inefficient communicable disease surveillance and control efforts for infectious and vaccine preventable diseases. Poor training of health personnel leads to poor services, to mention a few.”

Proffering prevention and control suggestions, Adesina said; “Commitment of government at all levels is a key to preventing the notable concerns.

This is from the perspective of adequate preparation for emergency, preparedness for natural disasters, paying adequate attention to development of health facilities and training of personnel. Improve disease surveillance and contact tracing.