Akinloye, also the Head, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
NAN reports that World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on every June 5 and is the United Nation’s principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and protection of environment.
It was first held in 1974 and has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging environmental issues from marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime.
Theme of 2017 is: “Connecting People to Nature – In the City and on the Land, from the Poles to the Equator”.
Akinloye said that there should be policies to address the scooping of chemicals by the vulnerable communities during accidental spillage, especially petrochemicals or inhaling of chemical substances from industries.
“Chemicals are highly reactive macromolecules, many of which are found everywhere in the country.
“The global availability of information on chemical substances, especially through the internet and social media, has placed dangerous and hazardous chemicals in the hand of wrong people.
“In addition, increase of unregulated industrial activities has also increased emission of chemicals and its products into the environment.
“The significant amount of exposure we get, as this substances or compound, is able to disrupt the hormonal balance of human body,” Akinloye said.
The expert said that several damaging incidences witnessed in recent time in the world underscore the reality and seriousness of the situation.
“The use of chemical weapon in northern Syria and several incidences of lead toxicity in Nigeria and some other emerging accident emission of chemicals due to road accident in our environment are cases for concern.
“It is only wise for the global and local community to be ready to combat this dangerous situation when it occurs.
“Exposure of chemical substances such as lead and carbon monoxide causes morbidity, especially in children.
“Similar morbidity was reported in lead exposure both in Niger and Zamfara in Nigeria.
“The chronic effects of these chemicals over time in these communities are important public health issue,” he said.
Akinloye called for need to develop capacities to safety, securely and responsive detection, handle and control of dangerous chemicals.
“Governments and relevant agencies should be aggressive and collaborate with the international biological and chemical threat reduction organisations on this important issue.
“Collaborative effort among relevant agencies in Nigeria with researchers playing key role in coordinating training and capacity development is needful.
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