Public health perspective of public abattoirs in Nigeria, challenges and solutions

Abstract

Abattoirs play a vital role in the supply chain of meat in society. However, the processing of meats in these facilities can lead to the spread of pathogenic bacteria and fungi, posing a significant public health and food safety concern. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, global meat production generates about 20 billion tons of animal waste annually, with developing countries accounting for the largest share of this waste and, a significant portion of which comes from abattoirs. This waste contains high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as organic matter, pathogens, and other contaminants that can have negative impacts on the environment and human health. In Nigeria, slaughterhouse effluents have been found to be a significant source of environmental pollution, containing food-borne pathogens and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. This is particularly worrisome in a growing country like Nigeria which heavily relies on meat as a source of protein. The lack of standard waste management facilities in many abattoirs in Nigeria further exacerbates the problem, exposing inhabitants to harmful pathogens and gases. Despite these risks, little attention has been paid to curbing the menace of unhygienic abattoir waste disposal. This paper aims to raise awareness of the public health and environmental implications of unhygienic abattoir waste disposal in Nigeria and recommends solutions to this challenge. Specifically, the paper explores the potential for commercializing bio-waste into energy production as a sustainable solution. The wider significance of this work is that it highlights the urgent need to address the challenges of public abattoirs to ensure public health and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the wider implications of this work are that the findings and recommendations can be adapted to other countries facing similar challenges. Overall, this paper contributes to planetary health by addressing a critical public health and environmental issue and recommending sustainable solutions.