I WANT to welcome you to this weekly column that will be looking at environmental issues such as land degradation, pollution and climate change, among other related concerns.
This is because I have realised that environmental issues do not receive much attention from various stakeholders, except when there is a calamity such as floods or draught.
Even politicians seeking power at different levels rarely address issues affecting the environment and how the problems could be addressed.
It is, therefore, my view that this platform could contribute to bringing change by highlighting some of the critical issues and thus influence decision-making.
This week, I would like to kick-start by highlighting the impact used motor oil has on the environment.
I hope Lusaka residents have seen the now established vehicle open air garages in the central business district, especially on Freedom Way and Lumumba Road as well as Kamwala trading area.
Imagine if overhauling of motor vehicle engines was done right there on the streets and on a full scale leaving spillages of used oil on the ground!
Mechanics repair motor vehicles on the parking slots, thus spilling all the used oil on the road or in the storm drains, the oil is later carried by water during the rainy season into Chingwere stream.
This action pollutes the stream, which is one of Lusaka’s sources of drinking water.
Now the question is, how do used oils damage the environment?
According to Environmental Science and Technology, a peer-reviewed journal, once lubricating oil is drained from engines, gearboxes, hydraulic systems, turbines and air compressors, the oil is contaminated with wear debris.
The lubricating base oil has deteriorated and degraded to acids.
The additives decompose into other chemical species and process fluids. Degreasers and solvents have mixed into the used oil which, if spilled on the environment, affect the ecosystems.
Used oil contains wear metals such as iron, tin and copper as well as lead from leaded petrol used by motorists which if released contaminate the soil and water.
Release of used oil to the environment, whether by accident or otherwise, threatens ground and surface water with oil contamination, there by endangering drinking water supply and aquatic organisms.
Spilled oil tends to accumulate in the environment, causing soil and water pollution.
Oil decomposes slowly, therefore, it reduces the oxygen supply to the micro-organisms that break the oil down into non-hazardous compounds.
Toxic gases and harmful metallic dust particles are produced by ordinary combustion of used oil that is harmful to the environment.
The high concentration of metals such as ions, lead, zinc, chromium and copper in used oil can be toxic to ecological systems and to human health if they are emitted from the exhaust stack of uncontrolled burners and furnaces.
Some of the additives used in lubricants can contaminate the environment. For example, zinc, dialkyl dithiophosphates, molybdenum disulphide, and other organo-metallic compounds.
Certain compounds in used oil, for instance poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, can be very dangerous to one’s health. Some are carcinogenic and mutagenic.
The poly-aromatic hydrocarbons content of engine oil increases with operating time, because the poly-aromatic hydrocarbons formed during combustion in petrol engines accumulates in the oil.
Lubricating oil is transformed by the high temperatures and stress of an engine’s operation.
This results in oxidation, nitration, cracking of polymers and decomposition of organ-metallic compounds.
Other contaminants also accumulate in oil during use – fuel, antifreeze/coolant, water, wear metals, metal oxides and combustion products.
As it has already been mentioned above that if used, and oil is disposed of in an irresponsible manner, it may cause great danger to the human resources like water supply.
The environmental effects of used oil can be categorised as human health effects of used oil, effects on wetlands and wildlife as well as effects of burning waste oil.
The other category is the effects on marine and fresh water organisms.
So with the adverse effects of environmental degradation, it is imperative that the Zambia Environment Management Agency takes action against such issues highlighted above, because there are legal provisions to deal with them.
The country needs to be aggressive when dealing with issues relating to the environment because the economic growth of the nation depends on sustainable management of the environment.
And, by the way, how much tax is not from those all mechanics that are doing business illegally, any food for thought!
Until next week, have a blessed weekend!
For comments: stanslous.ngosa@times.co.zm ngosastan@gmail.com
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