A Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Prof Ozioma Adaunwo Ekpete,  says there is  heightened concern among policy makers and scientists concerning the effects of human and wildlife exposure to chemical compounds in the environment.
She said heavy metals which tend to persist in the environment over a long period, accumulate and produce toxic effects on humans and animals.
She therefore called on federal government and relevant agencies to stop the importation of cadmium, lead and mercury based toys and cheap jewelry into the country as these constitute harmful hazards to man and society at large.
Prof Ekpete stated this while presenting her inaugural lecture at the 22nd Inaugural Lecture series of the institution on the topic “Heavy Metal as Human Associates The Ubiquitous Inevitable,” held at the university’s auditorium recently.
She opined that the heavy metals consisted of degradable and non-degradable, adding that those degradable metals contribute to both   economic and wellbeings of human
According to her, non-degradable pollutants are mutants, heavy metals, radioactive substances that are not broken down in the natural processes like actions of microbes and added that most of these are mutants that get accumulated in the environment and also get biologically magnified as these moves along the food chains in an unrecompensed state.
She described heavy metals as metals having a density that is greater than 5g/cm3 atomic weights or atomic numbers, adding that they stick around in the body and burrow in adipose.
Ekpete averred that the ubitiquos of these heavy metals cut across every spheres of human endeavor including foods, clothing and water among others ,adding that they also have some essential benefits to human survival such as in arsenic, cadmium, lead, Mercury, copper and chromium.
“The existence of heavy metal pollution in our environment as a result of natural and anthropogenic activities is a fact and not a fable or myth.
Heavy metals are found everywhere ,at homes ,in our offices ,inside cars and on the cloths we wear.etc, When released into land, water and air environment these pollutants find their ways into the human body during breathing, eating or drinking or by direct contact.”
“Heavy metals are not respecter of persons and know no boundaries since they are hardly forced to remain where they are produced.
Everybody is at risk, if no measure is taken to reduce heavy metal pollution people will be exposed to chemical threats,” she added.
The second female professor of Chemistry in Rivers State  urged women to protect their children from heavy metals by reducing the application of lipsticks and chemicals to their hair as well as various make-ups   and added that drinking water should be adequately treated before consumption.
Earlier in his speech, the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Ozo Mercury Ndimele lauded the lecturer and described her as a thorough bred who had distinguished herself in academic excellence.

By: Akujobi Amadi & Ngozi Dennar