UN chief allays fear of acid rain in Nigeria
By Niyi Odebode and Everest Amaefule, Published: Wednesday, 24 Mar 2010



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A United Nations space chief, Mr. Takao Doi, has allayed fears of acid rain accompanying the current harmattan haze accross the country.



Doi, a Chief Space Applications Officer at the UN Office for Outer Space, spoke at the Third Governing Board Meeting of the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education held in Abuja on Tuesday.



According to him, the hazy weather is a natural occurrence resulting from climate change. The UN chief said this would not lead to acid rain, as had been speculated.



A text message circulating through mobile networks had warned that there could be acid rain in the country between March 20 and 28.



The text message said, “Be careful from the 20-28th of this month. There is the possibility of an acid rain. The dark circle appeared on 17th of last month and this is an indication of acid rain. Apparently this happens once in 750 years. It rains normally but it may cause skin cancer if you expose yourself to it. This information is from the National Space Agency in the United States.”



But Doi said, “No acid rain is coming. The haze is a natural phenomenon. It is a result of climate change. There is no case for alarm. Don’t entertain any fear; the haze will go with time.”



Doi said this just as an environmental expert, Dr. Adeleke Adedoyin, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said that industrialised areas were more prone to acid rain.



Adedoyin, who is also the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, said, “Acid rain cannot occur where there are no industries. It occurs when vapour mixes with emission from industries. So, industrialised areas of the country such as Lagos, Ota, Sagamu are susceptible to it. Niger Delta where there is emission of gases, is also susceptible to it.”



Adedoyin advised Nigerians to ensure that their activities were environment-friendly, adding that the hazy weather was the effect of over-exploitation of natural resources.



The Nigerian Metrological Agency had last Thursday warned that persons with respiratory conditions should avoid prolonged exposure to dust so as to minimise the associated effect to their health.


http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201003243422921

beware this no more a rumor anymore, the information is been passed on air by the broadcasting corperations, please stay indoor when it rain, don't expose ur body to the naked.

beware this no more a rumor anymore, the information is been passed on air by the broadcasting corperations, please stay indoor when it rain, don't expose your body to the unclothed.

do u not understand the meaning of the word allay?

I wonder! We have bn experiencing acid rain b4 now in nigeria. I wonder all these panic! When Co3,sulphate or nitrate oxide mixes with H20, d result is acid rain, and this has bn happening in africa esp in niger where we have emissions of C03(hydrotrioxocarbonate V oxide) every time from our gas flaring, cars etc. D impact of this is d rusting of our roofing systems. Nigeria as a whole most esp in niger delta are not practising safe enviromental mgt. Pls there is no cause for an alarm, i have said severally ever since dis started. Stay safe.