The Biochemistry Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BPAoN) has urged farmers to desist from the use of corrosive chemicals as fertiliser to hasten germination of agricultural food commodities.
Its President, Mr. Ikotun Olayemi, gave the warning in an interview on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, in Lagos.
Corrosive chemicals are substances that can damage or destroy other substances they come into contact with, and are immediately dangerous to living tissue.
Olayemi emphasised that planting with corrosive chemicals portends danger to human health, including acute poisoning and long-term health consequences as toxins are released into the body’s circulatory system.
“The effect of toxins in the body’s circulatory system bio-transform, contaminate blood vessels and some other sensitive organs which reduces longevity,” he said.
According to Olayemi, the health risks associated with chemicals in food depend on the type of chemical and the quantity of food consumed.
He stressed that natural foods should be harvested in their natural state, as their components contain antioxidant content that helps the activity of body organs.
Olayemi urged the regulatory agencies to sensitise farmers on the dangers of utilising toxic substances for food production to prevent untimely deaths.
By Abiodun Azi
