User:Imoukhuede Moses Idehai

Christian (a pupil of Rev. Kenneth E. Hagins, Bishop David Oyedepo and Pastor E.A.Adeboye).Nigerian. Geologist, environmentalist and consultant with Potterfield Industries Limited.

Articles:

'''Electronic Waste: An Important Contributor to Failing Health and Death. '''

In September 1987, under the pretext of importing industrial chemicals for a Nigerian construction company, an Italian businessman shipped over 4,000 tons of industrial and nuclear waste to Koko Port (Present Delta State). Recently, a similar episode was replicated in Côte d'Ivoire. Africa is replete with scenarios like these. Albeit, not many make it to the public domain. Some environmentalists refer to these aberrations as neo-slavery of savagery given the alarming damage potentials. The argument that Africa is considered a waste-land by some in the developed and emerging nations appears to subsist. For long, the waste generated by these nations have proven to be a burden only solved by crude/ refined dumping to Africa. Or so it seems. Here, pundits finger China as the most brazen culprit because of its alleged notoriety in this nefarious dealing. Dumping of toxic waste has become a trade of sort for a few. However, Like in every business, there is always a demand and supply side. Therefore, the continent can not be exonerated. Her relative ignorance, weak economics, and cheap desperation for survival make her vulnerable to these unscrupulous and malign manipulations. Rapid advancement in science and technology has produced a plethora of electronic waste in its wake. Management of these wastes is a global concern as it perhaps ranks only next to radioactive waste in terms of holistic toxicity. The preponderance of electronic waste imported to Nigeria is attributable to deliberate irresponsibility. Wolves clad as businesspersons in apparent collusion with some regulatory agencies and their foreign collaborators trade off the people’s collective posterity on the altar of marginal gains for parochial interest occasioned by rapacity. Albeit, some are partakers in blissful ignorance. This category includes some importers of sub-standard and used/ obsolete electronics such as air conditioners, televisions, microwaves ovens, transformers, etc. Electronic / electrical waste (also called e-wastes) comprises wastes generated from used electronic / electrical device and household appliance which are not fit for their original intended/ designated use. They are generally referred to as hazardous and municipal waste. A hazardous waste is any non-putrescible, often non-combustible component of any solid waste that poses a substantial danger immediately, or over a period to living things and the environment. Arising from its rapid obsolescence, e-waste is one of the fastest waste streams. Examples include: computers, cell phones, refrigerators, air-conditioners, TV etc. It consists of ferrous (50%) and non –ferrous (13%) metals, plastics, circuit board, etc. Essentially, the presence of lead (Pb), mercury ( Hg), arsenic (As),cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) –all called heavy/ trace metals, and flame retardants beyond threshold quantities confirms them as hazardous waste. Already, a number of European countries have commenced the reduction of these metals in their electronic formulation because of its empirical morbidity and mortality correlations. The impression that some heavy metals and radioactive substances are deliberately enriched and packaged as electronics enroute Africa may not be unfounded. After all, pervasive porosity in some governmental systems is a major concern even as life expectancy in Nigeria continues to plummets (currently below 45 years and one of the lowest in the world). A case in point. Many dry cell batteries sent to Nigeria from China are sheer hazards laced with unspecified heavy metals as proven from some analyses. The attendant deleterious effects on human health are enormous. Some have observed that many of these batteries do not even work. Those that appear to function, polarize easily and corrode devices. It is intriguing that regulators such as SON certify some of these malfunctioning/waste batteries. Many of the inherent heavy metals in e-waste have long resident time and bio-accumulate. For instance, lead (Pb) has a resident time of decades (although some scientists postulate a 1000 years). It means that any quantum of lead introduced to an environment will remain toxic therein for that long. In the human body, it bio-accumulates as it is not known to be easily excreted. When heavy metals are introduced to the soil, they accrete and become more concentrated. Some portions may be washed off to surface water while others percolate to contaminate groundwater. Plants and animals derive their nutrients from these sources (soil and water). Corollary, these organisms are seemingly imbued with heavy metals. These chemicals are again transferred to man when they are consumed. Upon death and decay of the human body, it is re-introduced to the environment and the cycle goes on. Indiscriminate combustion of e-waste may produce lethal doses of heavy metals as well as green house gases and other pollutants in the air. Repeated exposure via inhalation of these substances impinges on the human system. For instance, cadmium from combustion of electronics can wholly result in metal fume fever which may gravitate into chemical pneumonitis, pulmonary oedema and possibly death. Lead is highly poisonous if inhaled or swallowed (the Zamfara lead tragedies are sad pointers). It affects virtually every organ and system in the body. The main target of lead intoxication is the nervous system. Chromium damages kidney, liver and blood cells through oxidation. The result is haemolysis, renal and liver failure. Nickel is carcinogenic (capable of causing cancer). The Nigerian e-waste situation though dire, is redeemable if urgent corrective steps are taken. These steps should be ethically minded and technically sound. Public awareness of the severity of this matter is non-negotiable. Value re-orientation is critical in our clime where ill-gotten wealth is perceived to be idolised. Governmental agencies can brace up and make banal dump of e-waste unattractive. To achieve this, the Government needs to use its vast resources to effectively empower the citizenry. The use of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) strategy should be exploited. EPR is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for a product is extended to the post –consumer stage of a product’s cycle. In addition, e-waste treatment technology which includes: decontamination, dismantling, segregation, electromagnetic separation and recovery of metals and disposal of hazardous waste fractions should be embraced across the country. It is pertinent that government appoints trained professionals such as geologists, chemists, engineers, etc in the handling of these pernicious substances. Waste management is a very serious matter and should be so treated. The situation on ground is a precarious strait. Perhaps with the right fervour against e-waste, Nigerians can be rescued from wanton sicknesses and deaths.