Heavy Metals and Organopesticides: Ecotoxicology, Health Effects and Mitigation Options with Emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Exposure to contaminants can lead to toxicity to humans. This review highlights aspects of environmental pollution and human toxicity symptoms of such exposure and how Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries could mitigate such effects. There is some extent of environmental pollution and human exposure to toxic materials in the relatively small-scale operation of mining, industry and agriculture in SSA. Huge mineral processing and industrial activities, and high-input agriculture coming into operation in these countries result in exacerbated pollution, with increased possibilities of human exposure and adverse health effects due to exposure to toxic heavy metals and synthetic pesticides. Mining and processing of radioactive minerals also expose the environment and humans to radiation. The SSA countries, newly embarking on all these activities, are presently least equipped to deal with these effects in terms of pollution abatement and prevention or clinical treatment of health effects; they should strive to develop the capacity to do so. Citation: Semu E, Tindwa H, Singh BR (2019) Heavy Metals and Organopesticides: Ecotoxicology, Health Effects and Mitigation Options with Emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. J Toxicol Cur Res 3: 010.