5 ways to live healthy with the black soot pollution in Port Harcourt
The increased levels of pollution in the society have become a major point of concern as people are at risk of being affected at the long run.
All forms of pollution affecting the natural environment are considered unsafe for the people in the environment as they over time change the environmental structure and organisms within the environment.
Port Harcourt residents in River state are at risk of having health issues that may arise from the recently noticed black soot deposits on cars and rooftops. The black soot is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of carbon in the air.
Black soot has been associated with asthma, bronchitis, coronary heart disease and some other respiratory illnesses. The toxicity of the black soot sometimes cause cancer which may lead to premature death.
Those who live in and around Port Harcourt get covered in this black soot as they go about their daily activities. Having to stay out all day is not the only way residents get covered in soot; their homes are no longer safe because the soot filters in through unlocked doors and opened surfaces.
Some parts of the state are said to have been covered with dark clouds since the deposition of the black soot started. The state government has taken the step to release a press release in order to calm the resident down as it envisaged that people would start to panic.
The illegal oil activities by bunkers and vandals are being said to be responsible for this according to the general manager of Port Harcourt refinery company.
The government has sprung into action on this note as it has acknowledged the problem even though they are somewhat at sea with the issue. As a precautionary move, the public has been advised not to panic as environmentalists have been sent out to track the source of the black soot in order for the management to act.
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The Rivers state government agreed that it is quite impossible for them to decontaminate the airspace but it can make good effort to put a stop to the pollution if the root source is being found. Residents are encouraged to help the government make this work easier by assisting in finding the source and reporting to the government.
On this note, there are things the residents are advised to do in order to live beyond the black soot days. Check some of these things below:
1. General cleaning
Surfaces should be cleaned daily with detergents in order to avoid the accumulation of soot. Doing this regularly would reduce the amount of black soot gathered around the house and offices.
2. Shut windows
Windows and doors should be shut as often as possible in order to prevent the soot from filtering in. Also, minimize the contact you have with open spaces in order not to let your hands touch the soot.
3. Use of nose mask
Wearing a nose mask in this period will prevent you from inhaling the contaminated air; soot will be prevented from getting into the nasal cavity when a mask is being worn.
4. Wash your hands daily
While this sounds like a primitive idea, those who are health conscious know the implication of not washing their hands after being out all day.
Your hands may have gathered germs and might have touched the open surfaces filled with the soot. It is advisable for residents to take shower three times daily.
5. Keep your skin covered
Protective clothing will help many residents at this period when the city and its environs are covered with soot.
The air vents should be dusted from time to time. Eating foods that are exposed is not healthy as they could have been contaminated.
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The Nigerian minister for environment, Amina Mohammed, is aware of the problem as she acknowledged witnessing it firsthand after spending some hours at Shongai Farms. The discoloration of her feet after the incident was clearly noticeable and she said the government would do its best to proffer a solution soon.
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Source: Legit.ng
