Toxicological scientists examine impacts of toxicants

Toxicants, whether they are man-made, biologically produced, or naturally occurring, and whether they are found in medications, food, detergents, pesticides or other products, do have varying effects. Over the decades, studies have been carried out on the negative effects of toxicants and how to mitigate these effects.

It is for this reason that the theme of the maiden scientific conference of the Nigerian Society for Toxicological Sciences (NSTS) – ‘Health, Environmental and Economic Impacts of Man-Made and Naturally Released Toxicants’ – is very apt.

NSTS is a non-profit professional society inaugurated by the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX) and established by and for individuals and institutions engaged in toxicology, especially in research, development and regulation of standards. It provides a forum that supports the development of principles and practices for toxicological sciences, protection, enhancement and management of public health and sustainable environment.

The conference, held at the CBN International Training Institute, Abuja, witnessed presentations of and discussions on research findings in several areas and x-rayed seven sub-themes that include Industrial and Agrochemical Toxicity, Oil and Gas, Solid Mineral Toxicity, Telecommunications Toxicity, Risk Assessment, Regulatory, and Tobacco Harm Reduction.

Uche Alex Osunkwo, president, NSTS, said the Society has a responsibility to contribute to national development by encouraging and engendering research in relevant areas to aid important national decisions as well as encourage informed personal actions.

Osunkwo, a professor and lecturer in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the University of Abuja, said validating or invalidating notions was a major impact that science should be making in all areas of life, which only research could help man achieve.

“As scientists, it is clear to us that lots of decisions at national and individual levels are based on uninformed generalisations, often pointing in the wrong direction,” Osunkwo said.

“Regulators and decision-makers can benefit from research findings on each of the seven sub-themes because competent scientists and researchers have undertaken careful study to produce the conclusions presented and discussed,” he said.

Osunkwo stressed the need for application of scientific and research-proven knowledge to key areas of human lives, using examples of the evidences from Oil and Gas Toxicity and Tobacco Reduced Risk Products.

“While hydrocarbon is known to alter blood parameters, some of these blood parameters may affect the activities of certain systems like cardiovascular system. Hydrocarbon gets into man and animal either through ingestion of contaminated food and water, bio-concentration through food chain, occupational exposure, or by using hydrocarbon products,” he said.

Anoka Njan, secretary-general, NSTS, while strongly recommending astute use of research outcomes, said the conference theme was carefully chosen to ensure an amalgamation of all the important areas in toxicology to kick-start robust discussions on the topics and issues for the benefit of the nation and the citizenry.

“The conference is not only significant but comes at a time the nation is in serious need of scientific solutions to daily exposure to industrial and cosmetic chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, heavy metals and natural toxicants,” he said.

Njan, who is also chairman of the conference Local Organising Committee, said the conference would help to promote the identification of easy and practicable solutions that can enhance national development and quality of human co-existence.

On the issue of Tobacco Harm Reduction, whereas cigarette smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death, the campaign against smoking seem to be gradually getting to a point of diminishing returns in some countries. But all is not gloom, though.

Ashraf Elamin, manager, translational research strategy, Philip Morris International (PMI), in a presentation titled ‘Non Clinical and Clinical Assessment of Tobacco Heating System (THS)’, showed that the totality of scientific assessment (both clinical and non-clinical), a result of in-depth research done by the company, has the potential for harm reduction.

The THS, he said, has given rise to Reduced Risk Products (RRP) because they go through ‘heat’, not ‘burn’, to produce the feel of smoking.

“The absence of combustion results in a decreased number of toxicants in the aerosol as compared to conventional cigarette,” Elamin said.

Responding, Osunkwo said Elamin’s submission was an area of interest to NSTS as a body of scientists.

“If there is something science can do to reduce the negative impact of smoking, our position as scientists is that the adults who have made the choice to continue smoking ought to be enlightened on it,” he said.

In his address, Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, who was represented by Akinyemi Oyefeso, said the conference was a mark of NSTS’ commitment to contributing to the consolidation of the efforts of the government in making science, technology and innovation the fulcrum driving the nation’s economic development.

Onu, who declared the conference open, called for closer collaboration between the society and various agencies of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology is pursuing a new sustainable route for the country, which is to change from a resource-based to a knowledge-based society. Hence, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology seeks the collaboration of professional bodies like yours to partner with in achieving this goal,” he said.

“In this regard, your society has been identified to possess personnel with various skills and competences in fields of specialization and hence should collaborate with some of the agencies of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, such as Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA ), in the area of herbal and traditional medicine; Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), in ensuring that our food and spices are grown and processed to meet international standards needed for export; National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria, in the areas of chemicals and environmental issues; National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), in the area of Genetically Modified Organisms, amongst others,” he said.

Onu, who was special guest of honour at the conference, also informed the conference that the Federal Government has gazetted the Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which seeks to have all professional bodies and other Nigerian professionals involved in the planning and execution of projects, promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, and Science, Engineering and Technology. He advised NSTS as a body to key into the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 and avail the ministry of its views on it.

“Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology acknowledges the great efforts of our researchers and advises that the results of their researches should be patented as a step towards the commercialization of such researches by would-be interested investors and industrialists. The National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), an agency of this ministry, is helpful in this regard,” he said.

CHUKS OLUIGBO