Identification and control of POPs-contaminated sites in Lagos, South Western Nigeria and stakeholders' workshop.
The activity involved conducting a basic study and report on POPs-contaminated sites in Nigeria. POPs chemicals banned under the Stockholm Convention are spread in different stores and sites in Nigeria, and their use has been largely unregulated. The activity identified major sources of POPs as agriculture, energy production, municipal solid waste, atmospheric emissions and manufacturing, among others. It was found that out of the total number of respondents, only 18.4% have heard of POPs (as chemicals used for fishing, crop protection and pest destruction). Of the entire number sampled, only 6.4% know that their sources are manmade. About 6.4% know that they persist in their environment. Also 4.8% believe that they accumulate over time in animals and humans. Accordingly, 12% have heard and read that they cause injury and defects. The implication of the observation is that the awareness status of most of the people interviewed is low, and a massive awareness and enlightenment programme is imperative.
Outputs:
Base study of POPs-contaminated sites and sources
Survey of public awareness of POPs