Health risks from environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

Local communities within oil producing countries in Africa often face formidable environmental challenges that generate conflicts and concerns around exploitation, environmental impact, and health risks. A key feature of these concerns has been the paucity of effective risk communication mechanisms and the impact this has on the public understanding of risk. Risk communication has been identified as a significant factor in explaining why the health consequences of environmental degradation remain unabated in oil producing communities. This paper evaluates health risk communication in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study is based on 69 interviews conducted in the Niger Delta region. The paper argues that the health of the local population is being impaired by risk incidences relating to oil and gas exploration activities, the effects of which are amplified by inadequate communication of health risks to the public. The study argues for and suggests ways in which health risk communication processes can be improved in the Niger Delta. A multi-dimensional framework for public health risk communication is developed as a means of advancing understanding, practice, and policy.

Quantifying the exposure of humans and the environment to oil pollution in the Niger Delta using advanced geostatistical techniques

“…Acute symptoms include respiratory symptoms such as shortened breath and throat irritation, ocular (eye) symptoms such as soreness and redness. Neurological symptoms include dizziness, irritability, weakness and confusion (Adekola and Fischbacher-Smith, 2016). Longer term effects include respiratory effects like the chronic obstructive lung disease, carcinogenic effects such as leukaemia, skin and lung cancers (Ordinioha and Brisibe, 2013).…”

Community perceptions of local enterprises in environmentally degraded areas

“…Firms are often responsible for environmental degradation issues such as biodiversity loss, soil degradation, ozone depletion, global warming and decreasing water quality (Capelle-Blancard and Laguna, 2010;Ercolano et al, 2014;Frank et al, 2016;Ogwu, 2016;Shrivastava, 1995a;Ercolano, 2014). It has been supported that even SMEs, which may have a lower impact on the natural environment due to their size, are also responsible for over 70% of environmental pollution incidents (Adekola et al, 2016;Hillary, 2004;Pineiro Chousa et al, 2017). This responsibility for environmental problems has lead different groups of local or global stakeholders to express their concerns regarding business operations.…”

We Are Best Friends: Animals in Society

“…First, the largest group of articles in this theme emphasizes public health concerns (n = 24). These articles discuss the impacts of HVHHF on either broad public health categories (see, e.g., Adekola et al 2016;Boyle et al 2016;Ferrar et al 2013;Finkel and Hays 2013;Goldstein and Kriesky 2012;Korfmacher et al 2013;Mitka 2012;Penning et al 2014;Perry 2013;Rabinowitz et al 2015;Rafferty and Limonik 2013;Redmond 2014;Saberi 2013;Saberi et al 2014;Saunders et al 2016;Shonkoff et al 2014;Steinzor et al 2013;Tuller 2015;Werner et al 2015;Willems et al 2016) or specifically to infant or reproductive and developmental health (Kassotis et al 2015;Ma et al 2016;Payne et al 2014;Webb et al 2014). If mentioned, animals are only used to situate the potential and realized impacts on human health or to assert that more research is needed (see, e.g., Ma et al 2016).…”