Public health physicians have said that persons living in environments with polluted air are at risk of having recurring headaches, breathing problems, and other adverse health issues.
The experts explained that when toxins or particulate matter are inhaled, they mix with the body’s oxygen and deprive it of enough oxygen to function, leading to suffocation and headaches.
In exclusive interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians urged individuals living in water and air-polluted environments to, if possible, stop the source of the pollution or evacuate such areas to prevent further adverse health outcomes that would be caused by prolonged exposure.
The experts’ advice is coming on the heels of the over 16 days fire raging in Bukuma community, Rivers State and the complaints of headaches by some residents in the area.
On January 12, Wellhead 008 in Bukuma Community in Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, caught fire after several days of a gas leak that was unattended to.
As a result, the environment, including the rivers and creeks, has been flooded with crude oil, killing aquatic life and forcing fishermen to return with empty boats.
While some residents have fled the area, reports from some remaining residents in the community reveal that some of them have been complaining of headaches.
Findings also show that the fire, after two weeks, continues to burn, polluting the air, water and land in its wake.
According to an air quality measuring company, IQAir, the air quality in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is unhealthy.
The particulate matter (PM) 2.5 is identified as the main pollutant in Rivers State.
It is the smallest level of fine particles, as tiny as 2.5 micrometres.
In Rivers State, the concentration of PM is 47.6 µg/m³, which is significantly higher than the 10 µg/m³ recommended by the World Health Organisation.
Commenting on the matter, a Professor of Community Medicine and Public Health at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Best Ordinioha, stated that the inhalation of toxins in a polluted environment could cause headaches.
The don further noted that persons exposed to areas where there was spillage and burning of crude oil could have reactions such as headaches, sneezes, coughs, runny and watery eyes and intoxication.
He added that the exposure and inhalation of volatile airborne components could cause headaches and breathing problems.
The physician also said that frequent exposure to carbon monoxide could cause suffocation depriving the body of enough oxygen to function, leading to headache and cardiac issues, among other complications.
He advised individuals constantly exposed to pollutants to ensure they controlled the spread from the source, if possible.
Ordinioha said, “Source control is the most important thing, that is stopping the source of the pollution. Unfortunately, in situations like the Bukuma community, the government is not interested in source control, because it requires specialist skills, and it costs money to control a fire from a well-head because it’s not an ordinary fire. But that is what should have been prioritised.
“The problem now is the policy. When it comes to the law, in the Oil Company Act, once there is a third party, the oil companies are not usually held culpable. That’s why the oil companies are talking about bunkering and sabotage because once it’s proven, it means that they are no longer culpable and are not responsible. But then, who is responsible? Who should take care of it?”
The don urged the government to intervene and stop the fire, stating that it polluted the environment and was an economic waste.
Also, a public health physician, Dr Tuyi Mebawondu, stated that exposure to toxins in the environment could affect every aspect of human life and cause headaches.
He added that exposure to chemicals, pesticides, and fumes from raging fires could cause headaches.
“There are a lot of pollutants in the environment like particulate matter, dust and dirt, and they can cause headaches when humans are exposed to them. Also, when you burn fuel, you get nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide as by-products and they can cause headaches.
“There are three pathways these headaches can come up with. The first pathway is when those things are inhaled into the body system, they tend to create an allergic reaction in the nervous system which causes contusion of the vessels and leads to headache.
“The second pathway is a reaction to the chemicals. For instance, we know that quite a lot of the dust particles and toxins in the environment can worsen the case of asthma, so when the reaction comes up, you have a stuffy nose, watery eyes, coughing and wheezing. All these can be associated with headaches.
“The third pathway is that when dust is inhaled, it interferes with oxygen exchange in the lungs. We need oxygen to do a lot of things in the body system, when the oxygen exchange is compromised through the dust, we have low oxygen and then feel weak and a drop in energy level. So the amount of oxygen that we are supposed to have in our blood system to help in metabolism and proper functioning of the body, would not be there. Toxins in the environment can cause headaches,” Mebawondu said.
He further noted that pollutants and toxins in the environment could trigger migraine, which is a headache located in one part of the head and difficulty to look at the light as well as nausea and vomiting.
Speaking on how to resolve headaches induced by the toxins in the environment, the physician said, “Constant headache can be termed as chemical headache exposure syndrome because of the exposure to chemicals.
“Recurrent headaches can be linked to a problem with the environment. First, identify why you are having the headache. If one finds out that after wearing a particular perfume and being in a smoke-filled environment, among others, please watch out and consider the toxins in those exposures as the source of the headache.”
He advised people who are constantly exposed to polluted environments to limit their contact with the causative chemicals by leaving the area if possible.
