Nigeria faces increasing environmental and public-health risks from toxic metals including chromium, lead and cadmium, according to environmental-health specialist Adewale Taiwo.
Taiwo, a professor of Environmental Health and Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said elevated concentrations of some heavy metals in soil could contaminate food and expose communities to long-term health risks.
He attributed much of the threat to poor industrial-waste management and unsafe disposal practices.
Pollutants from industrial activities, he said, could seep into soil and eventually enter agricultural products and the wider food chain.
Taiwo made the remarks during a workshop on health, safety, environmental management and the transition towards a circular economy.
He also raised concern about unsafe use of chemicals in food production and preservation.
The professor said industries, farmers and manufacturers needed to comply with scientifically established exposure limits for hazardous substances.
He referred to international frameworks used by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Taiwo, however, argued that Nigeria should develop locally relevant reference doses that account for its own environmental, agricultural and public-health conditions.
Another speaker, John Oyedepo, said access to finance remained a major challenge in the transition from a linear to a circular economy.
He argued that recycling, efficient use of resources and improved waste management could reduce environmental pressure while creating new economic opportunities.
NESREA Zonal Director Angela Iwobi said stronger health, safety and environmental management was essential to sustainable development.
She said companies and operators needed to understand and comply with emerging environmental standards.
Iwobi warned that the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency would enforce stipulated requirements and urged industries to improve their environmental-management systems.
The workshop focused on how businesses could reduce pollution, improve compliance and gain access to green-finance opportunities while supporting a more cir
