Experts blame pollution, toxic workplaces for rising Parkinson’s, heart diseases

Medical and environmental experts have linked the growing incidence of Parkinson’s disease, cardiovascular conditions and other chronic illnesses in Nigeria to worsening pollution levels and unsafe work environments.

Nigeria continues to grapple with high levels of environmental pollution, particularly in major industrial and commercial hubs such as Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt. Stakeholders say the situation is compounded by hazardous industrial emissions, heavy reliance on generators and weak regulatory enforcement.

Air quality readings in some urban centres are reportedly far above recommended limits, with toxic emissions from factories, diesel-powered trucks and marine vessels contributing significantly to atmospheric contamination. The result, experts warn, is a steady rise in respiratory illnesses, cancers, heart diseases and neurological disorders among workers and residents.

Dr. Ambimbola Ajayi, a consultant cardiologist, told Business Hallmark that poorly ventilated indoor workspaces and dependence on low-pour fuel oil generators in many industries have worsened air quality, particularly in manufacturing clusters.

He noted that in industrial corridors such as Apapa Port, diesel truck emissions account for about 33 per cent of air pollutants, marine vessels 21 per cent, and outdated machinery roughly 17 per cent.

According to him, prolonged exposure to polluted environments is contributing to high levels of “presenteeism” — a situation where employees continue working despite being ill — as well as the loss of skilled manpower due to pollution-related diseases.

“Inadequate waste disposal practices at work sites also contribute to environmental contamination,” Ajayi added, stressing that weak enforcement of environmental regulations and poor monitoring of indoor air quality have allowed the problem to persist.

Parkinson’s disease on the rise

Concerns over pollution took a sharper turn recently when medical specialists raised alarm over increasing cases of Parkinson’s disease in Nigeria.

The warning followed a two-day workshop held in Ilorin, themed “Environmental Factors, Exposure and Lifestyle Modification in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Parkinson’s Disease: The Impact of Pollution and Occupational Hazards.”

The event was convened by Dr. Patrick Oluwole Abolarin, a lecturer at Babcock University and Director of the Ilorin 2025 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder–Developing World Education Programme.

Dr. Abolarin said rising industrial activities and the unregulated use of harmful chemicals — particularly pesticides and heavy metals — are silently contributing to neurological disorders across the country.

“We are indiscriminately exposed to chemicals such as pesticides, vanadium and other heavy metals through pollution and unsafe work practices. These exposures have been linked to the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease,” he said.

He called for stricter government regulation of hazardous substances, improved workplace safety standards and greater public awareness.

Heavy metals and neurological damage

At the workshop, Prof. James Olopade of the University of Ibadan presented a paper on vanadium as an environmental toxicant.

He explained that prolonged exposure to vanadium — a metal commonly found in crude oil and industrial emissions — has been shown to induce Parkinson-like symptoms.

“Our studies show that animals from oil-producing regions such as the Niger Delta have higher levels of brain damage due to metal accumulation. The risk is equally high for welders, factory workers and residents of industrial zones,” he noted.

Olopade advocated the establishment of a national Parkinson’s surveillance system to improve data collection and track neurological health trends.

Similarly, Prof. Ademola Oremosu of the University of Lagos warned that the growing use of toxic pesticides in agriculture poses serious public health risks.

“Farmers use chemicals to boost yields, but many of these substances damage the brain over time. Stronger regulations are needed to protect both farmers and consumers,” he said.

Prof. Bamidele Owoyele, who heads the Neuroscience and Inflammatory Laboratory at the University of Ilorin, said pollution and weak environmental governance are fuelling avoidable health crises.

“Pollution affects the soil, air and water. Over time, toxins accumulate in the body and destroy brain cells. That is why we are seeing more Parkinson’s cases, even among younger adults,” he said.

Broader health implications

Beyond neurological disorders, experts warn that chronic exposure to polluted air is increasing cases of heart disease and respiratory complications, while also reducing workplace productivity through absenteeism and declining employee wellbeing.

According to the World Health Organization, global cases of Parkinson’s disease have doubled in the past 25 years. Developing countries, including Nigeria, are witnessing sharper increases due to worsening environmental conditions and weak regulatory frameworks.

Stakeholders are calling for coordinated action among the Ministries of Environment, Health, Agriculture and Labour to strengthen monitoring of toxic exposure in workplaces and communities.

Without urgent intervention, experts caution that pollution-driven health conditions could place an even heavier burden on Nigeria’s healthcare system and economic productivity.