A public health practitioner, Dr. Akingbehin Akinbodunwa, has called on manufacturing companies, households, and the general public to carefully manage their wastes to maintain a healthy environment.
Dr. Akinbodunwa, National President of the Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Association of Nigeria (EPHPAN), made the call in an interview with reporters on Tuesday in Lagos.
He warned that a wide range of diseases could be contracted and spread through unclean and contaminated surroundings.
“Environmental pollution—including air, water, land, and noise—has negative impacts on the ecosystem, human health, and the overall condition of the planet,” he said.
Dr. Akinbodunwa highlighted that industrial and vehicular emissions, power plants, and agricultural activities contribute to environmental hazards. He emphasized that proper waste management by companies and households could reduce the problem of arbitrary disposal of toxic and solid wastes.
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“Manufacturing processes can generate chemical wastes that are toxic and pose threats to the environment and human health. Industries should recycle their wastes where possible and channel residues into effluent treatment plants for treatment and reuse, which could also provide an additional source of income,” he said.
He outlined effective waste management as including identification, collection, separation, transportation, treatment, disposal, and disinfection.
The environmentalist also expressed concern that improper waste disposal not only pollutes the environment but also blocks drainage channels, causing floods and creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
“Human waste must be properly contained to prevent contamination of local water supplies from leaking septic tanks. Industries without effluent treatment plants should install one or register with waste management authorities,” he advised.
Dr. Akinbodunwa urged households to have septic tanks and called on the public to refrain from disposing of waste into drains or walkways. He also emphasized the importance of preserving trees and forests, describing them as vital components that enhance the environment’s beauty.
“Environmental safety is a collective responsibility. It should not be left to state governments alone. Households and the public must comply with environmental regulations to support government efforts in ensuring a safe and healthy environment,” he concluded.
