Public and environmental health implications of artisanal petroleum refining and risk reduction strategies in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

Artisanal petroleum refining (APR) is often the use of rudimentary equipment to process crude oil into different products. APR is rampant in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria and is often outside the boundaries of the state law. Some typical products of the process include gasoline, automated gas oil, and kerosene. Despite the socioeconomic advantages, which include creating jobs, it poses significant environmental and public health concerns. This review focuses on the environmental and human health effects of APR in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. According to the research findings, these actions have resulted in the loss of arable farmland, plant cover, household and drinking water supplies, and human food sources. In addition, these activities lead to the emission of harmful particles and gases. These pollutants have adverse health effects, including loss of respiratory and cardiovascular functioning, irritation of the sensory organs, and congenital disabilities. In addition, food safety concerns may ensue from improper management of the APR's effects. It is, therefore, necessary to mitigate the dangers linked to APR in Nigeria's Niger Delta area, i.e., through institutional strengthening and licensing of the artisanal petroleum operatives in the region and applying the environmental and petroleum-related laws in Nigeria. Furthermore, the enlightenment of the populace on the dangers of the long-term impact of APR is crucial.

Fecundity Estimation of Atlantic mudskipperPeriophthalmus barbarusin Ogbo-Okolo mangrove Forest of Santa Barbara River, Bayelsa State Niger Delta, Nigeria

“…Rainfall is heavy year-round, with peak precipitation from May to July averaging over 300 mm monthly as describe by studies from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria (Olalekan et al, 2022a, b;Raimi et al, 2022b, c, d;Glory et al, 2023;Raimi et al, 2023). The abundant rainfall contributes to the mangrove swamps and muddy conditions ideal for mudskippers.…”

Particulate Matter Pollution and Health Status of Residents in Bayelsa State, Nigeria: An Assessment

“…Hazardous particulate matter in the atmosphere, such as black soot, which often results from artisanal refining of crude oil in the Niger Delta, has been a major cause of air pollution, particularly in Bayelsa State [3][4][5]13]. The activities of multinational firms in the form of gas flaring, compounded by illegal crude oil bunkering activities, have been implicated in air pollution [13].…”

“…Therefore, the study is to assess the impact of particulate matter pollution on the health status of Bayelsa State residents to make recommendations. The specific objectives of this study are to [i] ascertain the current state of particulate matter pollution, [2] examine how particulate matter pollution has affected health status, [3] ascertain the regulatory frameworks put in place on particulate matter pollution to improve the health status, [4] identify the challenges of particulate matter pollution on the health status and [5], make policy recommendations and proffer implementation strategies to contain particulate matter pollution towards the improvement of the health status of residents of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, particularly Bayelsa State.…”

“…The particulates, especially PM2.5 or others with a lower diameter, could penetrate through the respiratory tract of humans and cause disease morbidity and mortality. Possibly due to urbanization, industrialization, and population growth, there is widespread particulate matter pollution in many parts of the world [1][2][3][4][5][6]. This occurs on many continents, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and others [7].…”

Evaluating Bioremediation Strategies on Microbial Diversity in Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil Over Three to Six Months in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

“…Soil contamination by crude oil poses a formidable environmental challenge, with profound implications for ecosystem health and human well-being (Ayibatonye et al, 2024a, b;Omoyajowo et al, 2024;Saliu et al, 2023;Raheem et al, 2023;Kader et al, 2023a, c;Raimi et al, 2022a, b;Ifeanyichukwu et al, 2022;Raimi and Odubo, 2022;Deinkuro et al, 2021a, b;Olalekan et al, 2021;Okoyen et al, 2020;Olalekan et al, 2019b;Premoboere and Raimi, 2018;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017a). The persistence of hydrocarbons in soil matrices disrupts microbial communities, impeding crucial nutrient cycling processes and heightening the risk of groundwater contamination (Raimi et al, 2023;Olalekan et al, 2023;Glory et al, 2023;Kader et al, 2023b;Stephen et al, 2023;Stephen et al, 2022;Awogbami et al, 2022;Raimi et al, 2022c, d, e;Afolabi and Raimi, 2021;Raimi et al, 2021;Afolabi and Morufu, 2021;Morufu et al, 2021a, b, c;Olalekan et al, 2020;Olalekan et al, 2019a;Raimi et al, 2019d;Raimi, 2019;Olalekan et al, 2018;Morufu and Clinton, 2017;Raimi and Sabinus, 2017b). Urgent action is required to develop effective remediation strategies (Alaidaroos, 2023;Morufu et al, 2021d;Adedoyin et al, 2020;Raimi et al, 2020a;…”