Sodiq Ojuroungbe
An expert in Exposure Science, Olusola Ogunseye, has raised concerns about the increasing threat of environmental contaminants to public health.
He noted that exposure to pollutants is widespread, occurring both indoors and outdoors.
The World Health Organisation in a report warned that there is suggestive evidence linking pollution exposure with increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes (i.e. low birth weight, small for gestational age), cancers, diabetes, cognitive impairment and neurological diseases.
Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, Ogunseye, who is a PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Arizona, U.S., added that workers face significant risks from physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
Olusola Ogunseye
“Exposure to environmental contaminants is an increasing public health concern that can occur indoors and outdoors.
“Occupational exposures, exposure assessment, and exposure modelling are crucial tools in environmental health research. They help us understand how people are exposed to environmental contaminants and the impact of these exposures on public health,” he noted.
Ogunseye said his research examined the prevalence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure among charcoal workers in Nigeria.
He noted that the study found that charcoal workers had significantly higher levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, a biomarker of PAH exposure, compared to non-charcoal workers.
According to the researcher, the mean 1-hydroxypyrene concentration among charcoal workers was about six times higher than that of non-charcoal workers, and four times higher than the recommended guideline.
He explained that this indicated that charcoal workers are exposed to high levels of PAHs during the charcoal production process, putting them at risk of experiencing the harmful effects of PAH exposure, such as increased cancer risk.
Ogunseye stressed the need to develop innovative modelling approaches to estimate pollutant exposure.
“Model estimates are vital for setting guidelines and regulations to protect public health. They provide essential information for risk assessors and government agencies to conduct risk assessments for environmental contaminants,” he stated.
The researcher said his goal in carrying out the study was to understand better the complex mechanisms of human exposure to environmental contaminants and their public health implications.
He added, “Exposure modelling allows us to map out the pathways by which chemicals and microorganisms enter human systems.”
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.com
The post Researcher warns of growing public health risks from environmental pollutants appeared first on Healthwise.