Recent findings suggest that communities residing near oil production facilities face heightened risks of infertility due to prolonged exposure to toxins associated with oil and gas activities. Oladapo Ashiru, President of the Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), highlighted concerns about the impact of oil pollutants on reproductive health, particularly citing reduced sperm counts in men exposed to oil residues.
Speaking at the 30th anniversary of the Medical Assisted Reproductive Technology (MART) Centre in Ikeja, Lagos State, Ashiru underscored the broader implications of chemical exposures from oil and gas operations. He noted that these pollutants, including pesticides, could potentially affect multiple generations and contribute to declining fertility rates.
In his lecture during the event, Ashiru pointed out that residents of oil-producing regions in Nigeria frequently report fertility issues, often requiring assisted reproductive techniques with limited success. His research, detailed in the book ‘Man Know Thyself’ on reproductive health and well-being, emphasized the toxic nature of oil compounds. He warned that inhalation of fumes or ingestion of contaminated food and water could lead to reproductive disorders such as irregular menstrual cycles, miscarriages, stillbirths, and congenital disabilities.
Ashiru also addressed the environmental impact of oil refineries, highlighting their release of toxic waste into air, water, and soil. This pollution, he explained, poses significant health risks to nearby communities, contributing to respiratory ailments like asthma and bronchitis among children. Moreover, exposure to these pollutants may impair reproductive organs and lead to abnormal brain and nervous system development.
The remarks by Ashiru reflect growing concerns among health professionals regarding the reproductive health consequences of industrial pollution in oil-producing areas. These findings call for heightened regulatory measures and public health interventions to mitigate the adverse effects on affected communities.
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