THE Lagos State Government has called on stakeholders in the manufacturing sector to ensure proper handling and disposal of hazardous chemicals to ensure safety of residents.
The General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, made this call, according to a statement on Wednesday, during a chemical handlers’ stakeholders workshop organised by the agency in Alausa, Ikeja.
She said, “This stakeholders’ engagement was organised to complement the THEMES agenda of the state government, especially the health and environment pillar. While we advocate proper handling of chemicals, the effect of improper disposal of chemicals on residents of the state, especially on the children who are more susceptible, can be risky.
“Chemicals are good friends if well managed, but if handled the wrong way, they can also be our worst enemy, causing injuries and great havoc, one of which is cancer and some skin-related diseases.
“This is why we urge organisations to follow the state government’s guidelines for approved chemical storage because as an agency, we frown on dangerous and unacceptable chemical storage practices.”
One of the guest speakers at the event, Prof Ademola Shonibare, advocated the use of personal protective equipment by employees of firms that work with chemicals.
“It is vital that employees of organisations that deal with chemical-related substances use personal protective equipment as adherence to proper usage of chemicals is for the good of all residents including the organisations,” he said.
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