Expert Warns Nigeria Faces Rising Threat From Chromium, Lead, Cadmium Pollution

17th August, 2026 | News

Expert Warns Toxic Metal Pollution Could Contaminate Food, Threaten Public Health

Nigeria faces growing environmental and public health concerns from toxic metals such as lead, cadmium and chromium, Professor Adewale Taiwo, an environmental health and toxicology expert, has warned.

Taiwo, a Professor of Environmental Health and Toxicology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, said high concentrations of toxic metals in the soil could pose serious risks to human health, particularly when pollutants from poorly managed industrial waste enter the food chain.

He raised the concerns while presenting a paper titled “Health, Safety and Environment, Circular Economy and Environmental Sustainability” at an environmental sustainability workshop.

The professor also warned about unsafe practices involving chemicals in food production and preservation, saying they could increase the risk of food contamination.

Taiwo urged industries, manufacturers and farmers to comply with scientifically established safety limits for chemicals and hazardous substances, guided by international standards from organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

He also called for Nigeria to develop locally appropriate chemical reference limits that reflect the country’s environmental, agricultural and public health conditions.

Speaking at the event, Professor John Oyedepo identified inadequate funding as a major obstacle to Nigeria’s transition towards a circular economy. He advocated recycling, efficient resource use and improved waste management as practical ways to reduce environmental damage.

Meanwhile, NESREA Zonal Director, Mrs Angela Iwobi, stressed the importance of stronger Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) practices and compliance with environmental regulations.