Contaminants Threaten Health and Deepen Food Crisis

An environmental and analytical chemist, Olamide Ogundele, stated that organic contaminants such as PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) can pose risks if left unchecked in water and soil environments. Africa and the global community would exacerbate the food shortage and threaten public health.

During an interview with The Nation, Ogundele discussed her groundbreaking studies regarding PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and its concerning effects across generations on agricultural produce.

Her latest paper, "Physiological and Metabolic Reactions of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Following a Single Generation Exposure to Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS)," highlighted the hidden danger this pollutant presents to food security and public well-being.

She pointed out that as reports about persistent organic pollutants such as PFOS continue to rise in water and soil environments across Africa and globally, only limited research has examined their impact on plants over multiple generations.

"Considering the importance of agriculture within Nigeria's economy and diet, I aimed to investigate how pollutants that usually go unnoticed might subtly impact food safety and public well-being—from the plants we rely upon," she stated.

Ogundele characterized PFOS as an artificial compound commonly employed in industrial settings due to its ability to resist both water and stains, noting that it is part of the PFAS group—often referred to as "persistent chemicals"—due to their resistance to decomposition in nature.

She mentioned that what makes PFOS particularly worrying is its capacity to build up within living creatures and remain through successive generations, leading to extended dangers for environments and possibly affecting human well-being.

Regarding her discoveries from a study on wheat, she stated: "This is very important. The presence of PFOS in the third generation of wheat—even though only the first generation was exposed—demonstrates that the substance can be passed down biologically via seeds. This contradicts our conventional views on how long chemicals remain in the environment and highlights the need for immediate action regarding agricultural pollution control. It also prompts concerns about how many of these substances might be entering our food supply without us realizing it."

She noticed changes in key metabolites including sugars, amino acids, and lipids. She points out that these variations indicate that PFOS exposure interferes with the plant's regular metabolic functions, which could impact growth, nutritional value, and reactions to stress.

"In easier terms, the nutrient content and resilience of the wheat were affected—consequences that might lead to lower food quality and output in the long run," she said.

Ogundele mentioned that in nations such as Nigeria, where a significant part of the populace relies on subsistence agriculture, the consequences are far-reaching. She pointed out that exposure to PFOS might threaten food security, agricultural productivity, and also affect health across generations.

She stated, 'There is an immediate requirement for environmental education, more stringent control over chemicals, and funding for research and technological development to stop and reduce such pollution.'

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