By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the ban of Styrofoam for food service, storage and other related usage so as to prevent its harmful effects on human and environment in the state.
The lawmakers also called on the Executive arm of government through the Ministry of Health as well as its counterparts at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to put necessary machinery in motion for the total ban of styrofoam in Oyo State.
The House also charged the Ministry of Information and Orientation and other information dissemination organs of government to organize enlightenment programs to sensitize the public on the danger of using styrofoam.
The calls formed parts of motion jointly moved by the lawmaker representing Ibadan North II, Babajide Adebayo and his counterpart from Ogbomoso South, Sanjo Onaolapo and presented during Thursday plenary.
The lawmakers noted that the usage of styrofoam as a food packaging container and for other domestic usage is hazardous to human health and dangerous to the environment.
They quoted medical researchers, the world over, with claim that there is convincing evidence that using styrofoam for food packaging accounts for dangerous health issues including kidney failure, liver failure, brain damage and other illnesses that people suffer in today’s world.
The lawmakers said many businesses in Europe and America have substituted it with paper or reusable plastic containers, based on the awareness of its dangerous effect on human health in the immediate and the permanent damage to the environment in the long term.
The motion reads in part “Another research revealed that it takes hundreds of years specifically, 500 years before styrofoam degrades in the soil. As years go by, styrofoam frequently leaches chemicals into the environment, hence, degrading the soil and rendering it unsuitable for farming and harmful to microorganisms.
“Styrofoam manufacturing requires using hydrocarbons, which are released into the air and produce a hazardous pollutant, ground level ozone. This pollutant can impair lung function and also lead to respiratory illness. Styrofoam, a non-biodegradable plastic, has been used widely in food service for takeout and delivery.
“In recent times, many businesses in Europe and America have substituted it with paper or reusable plastic containers. This is based on the awareness of its dangerous effect on human health in the immediate and the permanent damage to the environment in the long term.”
It reads further “The use of styrofoam is common in Africa, and Nigeria, due to its population and availability of market, takes the lead in the usage of this harmful container in, the continent. Mr. Speaker, the presence of styrofoam in our marketplaces, restaurants, streets, and even in drainage systems is visible to the blind.”
Noting that the states across the country and the world generally had adopted the ban of the use of styrofoam adding that “many people who profit from the sales of this plastic would perceive the government as wicked but the good that the ban of this plastic would do to the general public would outweigh the profits that few make from its sales.
“It is therefore important that necessary actions be taken to curtail further hazard and danger to both the environment and human beings.
“Just three weeks ago the Lagos State government ban the total use of single use plastic known as styrofoam. The government of Abia State has also ordered the same ban on styrofoam. These are proactive measures to phase out the total use of the deadly substance. It is, however, very important as a matter of utmost urgency, to stop the use of styrofoam in Oyo State, as it is hazardous to both the environment and human beings.”
