The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has advised residents to reduce the consumption of animal skin, locally known as ponmo, in a bid to improve the air quality in the state.
Babatunde Ajayi, general manager of LASEPA, said the burning of cow skin releases carbon emissions into the air, which are very harmful to the environment and humans.
In an interview with PUNCH, Ajayi commented on the air quality index data released by the agency.
According to the data, Iba town, UNILAG research lab, and Lamata Ketu topped the list of areas with the most unhealthy air quality.
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Ajayi said agricultural emission contributes to poor air quality in areas with high levels of agricultural activities.
He added that vehicular emissions also contribute to poor air quality in many parts of the state.
“Some areas are purely agricultural. This includes animal farming particularly the processing of hides and skin,” he said.
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“The burning of cow skin in Agege would account for a huge amount of carbon emissions.
“So, if you like ponmo, you are causing a major problem to the air quality of Lagos.
“Lagos has a very high volume of vehicles on the road, larger than most cities in Nigeria, so they are a major culprit.
“The second is industrial emission. Many of these areas have several kinds of industries.
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“The entire Lagos has pockets of industries in different regions. So, in regions where you have high concentration, they will have poorer air quality.”
He advised homeowners to plant trees to absorb the carbon emitted into the environment.
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