POISONED AIR: The Southern Nigeria Story
Black Soot! Black Soot!! Black Soot!!!
These words are on the lips of the people of Rivers and Bayelsa States – situated in the Southern region of Nigeria. Source
I live and come from the Southern part of Nigeria. The city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State is beautiful and while I appreciate a lot about it as I have known it to be my home since birth, there are things that make living here overbearing sometimes.
In today’s post, I will be shedding light on the current situation plaguing my people.
The Origin
Black Soot is a powdery substance constituting carbon particles released into the atmosphere from the incomplete burning of coal (fossil fuels).
Worthy of note, this activity is actually illegal as unregulated and unlawful refineries locally called kpo-fire burn stolen petroleum products. A friend's hands who also lives in PH
*The Effects Black soot contains a lot of harmful pollutants such as dust, acids, chemicals, etc. It is a no-brainer that this substance polluting the air is dangerous, harmful, and has a long-lasting negative effect on people’s health.
The fact that these soot particles are tiny and easily get into the lungs and bloodstream through our nostrils is a mind-boggling reality. *My hands after wiping a surface at home
People are at a greater risk of respiratory infections such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia, cardiac diseases such as coronary heart disease and other heart diseases, and possibly compromise the immune system.
Each time I clean my nostrils, it is an eye-saw. I cannot even post the photos because it looks like a hot mess. We wake up, carry out our daily activities, constantly living and inhaling the soot every day. This is a slow-killer that is silently reducing the life span of many.
*The Response? Peaceful Protests have been carried out severally by individuals that come together and civil rights activists across cities in the affected regions.
Initially, a panel was set up by the government to shed more light on the issue but the committee reverted with no feedback nor improvement on the situation.
However, the funny thing is in spite of the cries, protests, and alarms raised from people on this issue, the Feds and State government have gone silent on the matter.
*The Solutions Offered? People have suggested the following:
- Getting humidifiers
- Regular cleaning of surfaces
- Constantly closing the windows and doors in the homes
- Conscious use of nose mask
- Washing hands often
- Continue raising awareness etc
*My Questions remain:
- How long can we continue like this?
- How many people can afford a humidifier?
- How many people even know the importance of a humidifier?
- For how long will we shut our windows to cross ventilation and free flow of oxygen for fear of contaminated air?
- How many people can afford air condition units while the windows are closed?
- Do we even have the electricity supply to afford us such luxury?
- Would we remain inside our homes and avoid going outside to earn a living for fear of inhaling black soot?
It is a really crazy situation.
*I don’t like what I hate… Lol...
But on a more serious note, something has to be done about this. I am aware people are benefitting from this situation but only the living can enjoy their money or do they actually not care?
Sigh… Story of my life!
Thank you for your time!
Till I come your way again… Bye for now!
