The widespread use of hazardous chemicals by farmers and traders in Nigeria to preserve crops, fruits, and vegetables has sparked concerns over the potential health risks to consumers. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently revealed that tests on his wife's freshly squeezed orange juice showed it was not fit for human consumption due to chemicals used on the fruit. This issue highlights the common practice of using toxic pesticides and ripening agents in Nigeria's farms and markets.
Various chemicals are being used to preserve produce, including calcium carbide to force-ripen fruits, sniper, a dichlorvos-based insecticide, to kill weevils in grains, and formalin, a chemical used to preserve corpses, to preserve fish and meat. These chemicals are cheap, effective, and readily available in agrochemical shops, but most are not approved for direct contact with food. The use of these chemicals is driven by the need to prevent losses due to spoilage and extend shelf life.
Traders like Yusuf Danladi, who sells grains on Ademuyiwa Street, Apapa Road, use sniper to prevent weevil infestation in his stock. He buys maize and beans directly from farmers and stores them until prices go up. Danladi pours a small amount of sniper into each bag and mixes it with his hands before tying it tight, acknowledging that he knows the risks but feels compelled to use it to prevent losses. He believes that if he doesn't use it, the next trader will.
Farmers like Mrs. Comfort Eze, who grows tomatoes, pepper, and other perishable vegetables, also use chemicals to preserve their produce. Last year, she sprayed her tomato farm with a strong chemical to control insects, which led to her experiencing itching, vomiting, and having to visit the clinic. Despite this, she continues to use chemicals because she believes the alternative is worse. Eze notes that traders who buy from her insist on vegetables that are already ripe.
Health experts warn that the chemicals used by farmers and traders can have serious health consequences for consumers. Organophosphates like dichlorvos can affect the nervous system, leading to headaches, dizziness, and memory problems. Calcium carbide releases acetylene gas and can contain traces of arsenic and phosphorus, linked to mouth ulcers, stomach pain, and kidney problems. Formalin is classified as a carcinogen.
Environmental health practitioners, including Gift Chinda and Confidence Nelson, emphasize that this issue is a public health concern that requires urgent attention. They advise consumers to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, soak them in salt water or a mild vinegar solution, and peel them where possible. Chinda also urges people to buy from trusted sources and report fruits that ripen unnaturally fast. Nelson calls for better enforcement and the promotion of safer alternatives.
The widespread use of hazardous chemicals by farmers and traders in Nigeria poses serious health and environmental risks. To mitigate these risks, there is a need for better regulation, education, and the adoption of safer practices. Environmental health officers are promoting alternatives like PICS bags, metal silos, and proper drying techniques to reduce reliance on hazardous chemicals.
Key points
- The use of toxic chemicals by farmers and traders in Nigeria poses serious health risks to consumers.
- Health experts warn that daily exposure to these chemicals can lead to headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and other health issues.
- Environmental health practitioners call for better enforcement and the promotion of safer alternatives to mitigate the risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals.
