An environmental expert, Halima Haruna, has warned that indiscriminate disposal of abattoir waste poses serious threats to public health, the environment and climate.
Mrs Haruna, an environmental educator and geologist at Kaduna Polytechnic, raised the concern during an interview on Wednesday in Kaduna.
She said untreated abattoir effluents could expose residents to cancer risks, heavy metal poisoning, bioaccumulation and other long-term health complications.
She also said that the pollution contaminated soil and water sources, while poor waste disposal and open burning degraded air quality.
She stated, “Abattoir pollution thrives on poor awareness and weak enforcement. The media must investigate, educate the public, amplify scientific evidence and promote accountability.”
She identified cadmium, lead, mercury, zinc and copper among heavy metals that could contaminate soil around poorly managed abattoirs.
The expert noted that effective waste management could, however, transform the challenge into economic opportunities through biogas production, methane-to-power projects, composting and carbon credit schemes.
She urged governments to relocate abattoirs from densely populated areas and strengthen enforcement of environmental regulations.
Mrs Haruna also called for closer collaboration among environmental agencies, scientists and medical researchers to monitor pollution-related health risks.
She urged traditional rulers, community leaders and religious institutions to intensify sensitisation on proper waste disposal and environmental health.