WHO: Onitcha leads as world’s most polluted city

Nigeria’s South eastern city of Onitsha, Anambra State, has been ranked the world’s most polluted city, World Health Organization (WHO) said.

Onitsha and three other Nigerian cities, Kaduna, Aba and Umuahia, made the list of 20 worst cities worldwide with highest air pollution according to Statista and WHO.

According to World Economic Forum (WEF), more than 90% of the global population have to breathe polluted air with fossil fuels (organic remains) been the main cause.

People who live in crowded places where there are no cleaner forms of transportation and energy are those majorly affected by the pollution. This is particularly evident in some areas of Asia, where smog hangs over cities and seeps into the countryside, and even into people’s homes.

According to WHO, air pollution contains fine particulate matter that can enter the body and get into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues such as asthma attacks and irregular heartbeat, and chronic disease like diabetes and cancer.

It is responsible for more 7 million premature deaths worldwide. There are some top nutrients thought to make a difference and save lives, they include long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids like omega-3, as well as vitamins C and E.

Oily fish like salmon is a great source of omega-3, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Vitamins C and E, which are found in many fruits and vegetables, nuts and vegetable oil, are powerful antioxidants that help the body fight free radicals and restore its regular inflammatory response.

For people who don’t get enough vitamins through food, supplements are a good source of health-boosting nutrients. Meanwhile, recall that Naija News earlier reported efforts by the federal government to clean up Ogoni land which is one of the major environmental touch points in the country at the moment.