They risk respiratory hazards – Medical expert
Residents and business owners around Olusosun in the Ojota area of Lagos State have been expressing fears about the thick smoke still billowing from the dumpsite in the area gutted by fire recently.
They said that blanket of fume still enveloping the area over two weeks after the dumpsite caught fire, had been affecting their daily activities and were now even seriously concerned about its implication for their health and well-being.
The dumpsite caught fire recently.
Findings revealed that recently, the Lagos State Government directed residents of the community to relocate temporarily as the thick smoke from the dumpsite continued to billow to the sky, despite the efforts of the State Fire Service to put out the fire.
Also, during the week, the state government shut down the dumpsite and relocated further operations to Epe and Badagry landfill sites.
The directive came barely three days after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode conducted an on-the-spot assessment, saying it was unhealthy for people to continue to live around the burnt dumpsite.
One of the residents of the area, Sheikh Mukail Mumin, who spoke with our correspondent, said, “We now sleep with one eye open because the situation can snowball into inferno in the middle of the night and we do not want to be caught . As I am speaking with you, our children cannot go to school. Their second term examination is supposed to have started, but their schools have postponed it.
According to him, the fire, which gutted the dumpsite, had continued to create panic on a daily basis among residents and motorists.
Another business owner, Mrs. Ayo Ekpo, said, “Fine, the government said we should relocate temporarily for safety reasons, but where will I relocate to? Will the government give me money to rent another shop? The smoke from the site has refused to stop coming into our stalls, despite the efforts made by several state environmental agencies to curtail it.”
Smoke dangerous to be inhaled — Expert
Meanwhile, a medical expert has justified the decision of the state government to shut the dumpsite, saying the location of the facility posed a serious health hazard to both people involved in trading activities and residents living in the
neighborhood.
An Ear, Nose and Throat specialist at Rosegold Hospitals, Gbagada, Dr. Semilore Alabi, noted that not everyone had the same sensitivity to wildfire smoke.
Alabi, however, said it’s better to avoid inhaling smoke, “if people can help it and when smoke is heavy, such that can occur in close proximity to a wildfire, it is bad for
everyone.
“Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into your lungs. They can cause a range of health problems, from burning eyes and a runny nose to aggravated chronic heart and lung diseases. Exposure to particle pollution is even linked to premature death.”
The medical doctor noted that anyone with heart or lung disease, such as heart failure, angina, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma, in the affected area may develop further respiratory complications that can result in
death.
“Children, including teenagers, who are active outdoors, are more likely to have asthma because their respiratory systems are still developing and they breathe in more air (air pollution) per pound of body weight than adults.” he said.
