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A presentation for the “Governance and Oil Extraction in the Niger Delta” Seminar jointly organised by the IDEARS Centre (London South Bank University) & the Ethiope Foundation, June 21 st 2012 .

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  1. A presentation for the “Governance and Oil Extraction in the Niger Delta” Seminar jointly organised by the IDEARS Centre (London South Bank University) & the Ethiope Foundation, June 21st 2012 OIL Pollution & HEALTH RISKS IN THE NIGER DELTADR CAL AMAYO (principal coordinator, ETHIOPE FOUNDATION)

  2. Analysis of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Report 2011 on environmental assessment of OgoniLand Extrapolate of the health hazards resulting from the oil extraction in Niger delta Examination of Benzene pollution incident in water (and air) as the distinctly main the true main health risk to Niger Delta residents Presentation of remedial solutions the health hazards identified. Scope of presentation

  3. The incidence pollution health risks in the Niger Delta is an acute “emergency problem”: Urgent action that is urgently required to stem benzene toxicity afflicting Niger Delta residents aim

  4. To assess the level of health hazard risks to Niger Delta residents due their daily exposure to benzene To develop new / introduce existing strategies and techniques that can remedy / mitigate the risk of exposure of Niger Delta residents to benzene To develop and implement a robust health manage structure as a starter program objectiveS

  5. Sources of human exposure to benzene contamination: Drinking water (from borehole water, well water, rain water & stream / river water) Outdoor and indoor air Dermal (skin) contact with (mainly ) surface water (e.g. stream / river water) Benzene contamination

  6. Drinking water UNEP assessment of water from wells and boreholes in Ogonivs standards

  7. Concentration of total hydrocarbon in surface water Examples from UNEP report from Ogoni-30 sites tested, benzene was 3/5 per weight of hydrocarbons

  8. Benzene outdoor/indoor air It was emission from cigarette that caused cigarette smoking to be banned from public places

  9. Niger Delta residents are exposed to benzene at levels of 1000 and more above the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline • No safe concentration of benzene can be recommended because it is genotoxic and carcinogenic (WHO) • All over the world benzene/hydrocarbon levels in drinking water are monitored and if found above MCL (5microgram/l) , the water is treated to remove benzene What do we make of all contaminations

  10. Bone marrow damage –aplastic anaemia • Changes in circulating blood cells • Developmental and reproductive effects • Alterations of immune response • Nerve damage • Cancer Adverse effects of moderate and long term exposure to benzene

  11. Cancer and Benzene exposure A survey by UNEP to evaluate the effect of the pollution on the health of the people was inconclusive-records unavailable

  12. 1. Ensure that all drinking water wells wherehydrocarbons found are fitted with filters to remove hydrocarbons. 2. Provide adequate sources of drinking water tothose households whose drinking water supply isimpacted 3. People who have beenconsuming water with benzene over 900 times theWHO guideline are recorded on a medical registryand their health status assessed and followed up 4. Introduce information initiative around all the sites identified as havingcontamination exceeding intervention valueswarning the community not to walk through orengage in any other activities at these sites What to do

  13. 6. Introduce information initiatives that warn / prohibit residents from engaging in activities such as fish, swim or bathing in surface waters that identified to be polluted by benzene 7. Undertake household surveys to determine risks of past and exposure to contaminated. In addition, each household will receive personalisedadvice on the risks of benzene contamination / exposure 8. Mount a public awareness campaign to warn individuals who engage artisanal refiningoil of the immanent risks of such activities WHAT TO DO (cont.)

  14. Deployment of well equipped medical centres • Emphasis to screen, track and manage benzene toxicity in water / human exposure • Set up agency to coordinate the removal benzene from potable water • Introduce carbon filtration using aeration towers. Structure

  15. The Ethiope Foundation (EF) has put together a comprehensive plan to address problems and implement the strategies / techniques we recommend for health risk mitigation • EF has built a number of working alliances with relevant organisations in the UK and Nigeria focused on eliminating health risks oil pollution to Niger Delta residents • EF is also building working alliances with informal traditional groups in the Niger Delta • The progress of the EF work will be reported in the Ethiope Quarterly to be launched in December 2012 and on our website - www.ethiope.org ACTION PLAN?

  16. THANK YOU .

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