Abattoirs: The Hidden Sources of Plants’ Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Abattoirs are places where animals are slaughtered and processed for human consumption leading to the production of huge wastes. Abattoir wastes contain several pollutants, most of which have growth limiting effects on soil microbes, plants, animals, and the entire ecosystem. A larger fraction of these wastes contains heavy metals. Heavy metals present in abattoir wastes are often acquired by plants through bioaccumulation, biomagnification and bioconcentration and remain persistent via food chain in the ecosystem. Most abattoirs in the developing nations such as Nigeria (Lagos) lack good personnel, equipment, and healthy practices. These ineffective management practices often provide bedrock for the occurrence of several negative effects evident in disease, disruption of wellness and so on. To prevent this effects, good abattoir waste management such as burying, composting, rendering, anaerobic digestion, blood processing, incineration with proper policies, laws and regulations must be put in place and enforced by necessary government agencies especially in Lagos State, Nigeria to minimize the pollutants released into the ecosystem.