The ill-effects of pollution from development

Although there are huge benefits with advanced technology and development, the side effects are increasing. From health hazards associated with improper disposal of electronic equipment to the increased use of diesel generators and cars, these associated problems were not existent in this part of the world prior to the advent of this revolution.

Revelations that Volkswagen, the world’s biggest car maker, rigged its emissions testing in the United States to circumvent regulations and boost its sales sent shock waves through the car industry, the company admitted that it had used special software to lower emissions during laboratory tests of some of its diesel vehicles; now US car manufacturers will face more stringent emissions tests, but what about the rest of the world where import of such vehicle continues to increase? 

Eleven million worldwide may be emitting substantially higher levels of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (collectively known as nitrogen oxides) t

The tests found that the levels of nitrogen oxide emitted by a Volkswagen Jetta were 15–35 times greater than dictated by the US standard, those for a Volkswagen Passat were five–20 times greater.

Why are diesel emissions worrying?

Diesel exhaust is a major contributor to air pollution, especially in Africa with the advent of the power cuts where diesel fuel is increasingly used in generators. Diesel emissions contain carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide both of which have serious adverse health effects; causing severe respiratory problems.

Other pollutants on landfill sites

For the approximately 20 per cent  of discarded electronics that are collected in the name of recycling, it’s estimated that between 50 to 80 per cent  of them never really get recycled, but instead are exported to developing countries because it costs less than recycling them in their countries of origin.

In the UK, currently, plastic bags which used to be issued free of charge in the grocery stores are now chargeable in order to deter or reduce the number ending up as non-recycled waste.

This is a very appropriate tax helping to raise awareness and reduce pollution. The only worry is that the export of these non-recycled goods may get exported to less legislated areas; for example.  Thousands of broken televisions, computers, microwaves and refrigerators are being illegally exported to African countries and dumped on gigantic landfills such as Agbogbloshie in Ghana.

Here, electronic components are openly burned, soaked in acid baths, dumped into rivers, or stockpiled for scrap recovery, creating serious environmental and health impacts due to the toxic chemicals contained in the products. When many of these brominated flame retardants are burned, they emit deadly chemicals which workers and nearby residents may inhale or, which may land on crops and grass, and be absorbed via the food chain.

Protection of Children

Children are especially vulnerable to the health risks that may result from such emissions and, therefore, need more specific protection. As they are still growing, children’s intake of air, water and food in proportion to their weight is significantly increased compared to adults, and with that, the risk of hazardous chemical absorption. Furthermore, their bodies’ functional systems such as the central nervous, immune, reproductive and digestive system are still developing and exposure to toxic substances, by hampering further development, may cause irreversible damage.

Many children are exposed to e-waste-derived chemicals in their daily lives due to unsafe recycling activities that are often conducted at their home- either by family members or by the children themselves. Furthermore, children may be exposed through dump sites located close to their homes, schools and play areas.

What can be done?

The proposed change forcing the VW car company to reduce their diesel toxic emissions legally may resolve the pollution from cars greatly improving the level of emissions from new cars, and experts hope that it will prompt manufacturers to make cars that meet the required standards. 

However, the pollution emitted from diesel generators remain unanswered. Moving forward, it is important that we are all aware of the associated risks from such emissions controlling their use where possible  and also to be vigilant in preventing illegal and hazardous recycling in order to reduce such harmful pollutants from contaminating our air. It is everyone’s responsibility.

The writer is  a Senior Chartered Healthcare Scientist and a Chief Biomedical Scientist in the Blood Science Department of London's Hammersmith Hospital. He lectures Haematology at the Imperial College in UK and  has authored numerous peer reviewed scientific papers. Writer’s e-mail  andrew.bimpon@unicapable.com