Environmental pollution

AR party calls on government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb

The Affirmative Repositioning party has called on the government to declare a public health emergency in Tsumeb following a recent study by the University of Bern, Switzerland, which revealed alarming levels of arsenic contamination in the town’s soil, plants, and residents. John Johannes, an AR activist for the Oshikoto Region, urged the government to prioritise the medical needs of affected residents in a statement on Monday. Activist Rob Parker […]

29 January, 2025

Environment

Microplastics in Nigeria’s Osun River: new study flags alarmingly high levels

The Osun River in Nigeria has high levels of microplastics in its water, sediment and fish. Gideon Idowu, Author provided Gideon Idowu, Federal University of Technology, Akure The Osun River is one of the major rivers in southern Nigeria. It flows from its source in Ekiti State, through several states, before emptying into Lagos state’s Lekki Lagoon. It is an important source of water for the communities that live around […]

8 April, 2024

Africa

Senegal’s small scale gold miners still use poisonous mercury: how to reduce the harm

By Jacqueline Gerson, Michigan State University “Do not fish in these waters.” “Contains high levels of mercury.” These warnings are shown at thousands of lakes and rivers globally, as well as on numerous fish products. But eating mercury-laden fish is not the only source of mercury exposure. Even more dangerous is the inhalation of mercury vapours, which are released as mercury is used in the extraction of another trace […]

8 January, 2024