Ban use of tyres, firewood to singe meat — Toxicologist

A leading environmental toxicolo­gist has made an urgent call on government to prohibit the use of tyres and firewood in meat singeing, citing compelling scientific evidence of severe public health risks.

Dr Prosper Manu Abdulai, a researcher and lecturer at the Mampong Campus of the Akenten Appiah Menka University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), presented the find­ings from a comprehensive na­tional study, revealing widespread contamination in meat products processed using these methods.

In a chat with The Spectator, Dr Abdulai explained that burning tyres releases harmful chemicals, especially Benzo[a]pyrene—a substance officially recognised by international health organisations as causing cancer, particularly blood-related cancers like leuke­mia.

“When rubber tyres burn, they release a dangerous cocktail of toxic chemicals,” Dr Abdulai ex­plained.

“Besides Benzo[a]pyrene, we’ve found high levels of industrial chemicals like PCBs, dioxins, and furans—substances that don’t break down easily in the environment, accumulate in the body’s fat tis­sues, and interfere with hormone function.”

The research, conducted in 2023, at the various abattoirs in the country, also discovered worry­ing levels of six heavy metals in the processed meat- including lead, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, copper and iron—all exceeding safety lim­its set by international food safety authorities.

Regarding traditional firewood burning, Dr Abdulai broke down the specific dangers: “When wood doesn’t burn completely, it creates tiny particles small enough to enter the lungs and bloodstream, along with cancer-causing compounds that can damage DNA and alter how genes function.”

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service attributes ap­proximately 4,000 annual cancer-related deaths to contaminated meat consumption.

“Our tests show that even after washing the meat thoroughly, the cancer-causing substanc­es remain at levels higher than what World Health Organisation (WHO) con­sider safe,” he empha­sised.

The toxicologist advo­cated immediate regula­tory action and proposed alternative processing technologies, particu­larly systems that could convert abattoir waste into biogas – providing a clean energy source while eliminating harmful emissions.

“The scientific evi­dence is clear,” Dr Abdu­lai stated. “We’re seeing more cases of reproduc­tive problems, including reduced fertility in both men and women, which can be linked to long-term exposure to these for­eign chemicals in the body.”

He concluded with a straightfor­ward appeal: “Our research shows a direct relationship – the more exposure to these chemicals, the greater the health risks. Protecting public health requires us to im­mediately implement safer meat processing methods based on sound science.”

 From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi