Professor Oyebisi Azeez, a specialist in Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has linked heart attacks and cardiovascular conditions in both humans and animals to exposure to petroleum products.
In her inaugural lecture, titled “The Matter of the Heart on the Survival of Animal and Man,” Prof. Azeez explained that many individuals have suffered from high blood pressure and sudden heart attacks due to prolonged exposure to petrol and diesel vehicle exhausts.
Speaking in Ilorin during UNILORIN’s 269th inaugural lecture, the veterinarian warned that inhaling fumes from diesel or petrol generators is toxic to the heart, contributing to serious health issues.
“In many homes, because of electricity inadequacy, diesel/petrol generators will be on from night till the morning with emissions all in the environment to be inhaled by the inmates,” she said.
Prof Azeez said that solace has been found in moringa oleifera to ameliorate some of the effects cause by exposure to petroleum products.
She recommended among other things, that the Federal Government should encourage the planting of moringa tree based on the usefulness of its leaves and seeds.
She said: “Moringa and other medicinal plants should be encouraged to be used for exposed individuals and animals.
“Humans and animals (grazing along major highways) should avoid/minimise regular exposure to petroleum products (diesel, petrol and kerosene as its adverse effects are immeasurable and dangerous to our heart.
“We should do regular check-up of blood pressure and other vital parameters.
“Government and institutions management should create hygienic environment with zero tolerance for open air emissions of diesel engines and generators so as to save the lives of people working around engines.”
Credit: The Nation
