Ruining the environment with dark oil

A recent study has found that about 260 million litres of dark oil are generated per annum by individuals and road side mechanics who indiscriminately dispose of the used oil into the environment.The oil according to experts if not properly managed can result in adverse human health and environmental consequences.Dr. Denis Adetunji, a hydrologist said […]

A recent study has found that about 260 million litres of dark oil are generated per annum by individuals and road side mechanics who indiscriminately dispose of the used oil into the environment.
The oil according to experts if not properly managed can result in adverse human health and environmental consequences.
Dr. Denis Adetunji, a hydrologist said that the release of used oil to the environment accidently or deliberately threatens ground and surface water with oil contamination thereby endangering drinking water supply and aquatic organisms.
Although there have been various efforts to regulate the siting of these workshops especially in states capitals and the FCT, but the question of how the used oil are disposed of still remains a mystery.
Daily Trust check at mechanic workshop within the FCT shows that the used oil retrieved from cars are either sold to those operating grinding machines or spilled on the ground to ensure that grasses and other dangerous reptiles are kept at a distance.
This development according to Adetunji is a dangerous trend which must be discouraged. “Take the Apo mechanic site for instance, the space of land that is been polluted with the used oil is increasing by the day and today someone living in Maitama may say it doesn’t bother him but it is only a matter of time before the contamination from Apo spread to all over the city,” he said.
According to him, spilled oil accumulates in the environment, causing soil and water pollution. “ One gallon of used oil spilled on the environment has the potentials of ruining the taste of one million gallons of water.”
An environmentalist, Mr Agabi Chike said that the practice of spilling used oil on the environment is common and very rampant in the country. “Nobody cares now because the effects are not immediate but gradually or very soon we will start seeing the impact.”
“Today we are talking about climate change, flood, erosion and inability of the soil to produce food as it used to. Studies have found that used oil dumped on land reduces the fertility and productivity of the soil as well as damage the environment a great deal,” Chike added.
Mechanics who spoke to Daily Trust said they were not aware of any damaging impact the spilling of used oil have on the environment. For them pouring the used oil on the environment would curtail the growing of unnecessary grasses and trees at their sites.