Bioethical Implications of Bad Waste Management and Pollution: A Study of Black Soot in River State Nigeria

Abstract

In our society today, materialism and consumerism abound. Our society lacks the attitude of responsible production and consumption. This has led to the disruption of environment through bad waste management and pollution. A case at hand is the prevalent pollution and consequent inhalation of black soot in many towns of River State of Nigeria and beyond. The soot is as a result of illegal refining of petroleum products, setting ablaze of illegally refined petroleum products by the military and other security agencies, tyre burning, gas flaring, meat roasting with used tyres, asphalt plants, refuse burning, fertilizer companies, etc. With these activities, the sky is often covered with thick dark clouds and the soot particles can literally be seen dropping on the environment. The sad reality is that this has not only limited outdoor life and businesses within the locale, but portends danger for the over five million people that constantly inhale the soot particles. Already, many are coming down with respiratory problems, and no one knows the extent of damages done to the other organs of the body. This paper therefore aims to expose the bioethical implications of bad waste management and pollution on the health of humans within the affected area and beyond. It uses the hermeneutic and analytic methods to expose the long term dangers of exposure to such pollution, as well as highlight the need for bioethical enforcement of the universal ethics of reverence for life and environment.