<<Print>>

Research conducted at Suame Magazine in Kumasi, has revealed that groundwater in the area is highly polluted with nickel and lead and not suitable for drinking without the necessary treatment. The research was conducted in January 2014 and January 2015 at the same site by scientists at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). METALS It was an aspect of the KNUST�s College of Engineering�s collaborative research on the environmental implications of automotive oil waste disposal at Suame Magazine. The Suame Magazine area is well noted for vehicle repairs and servicing, sale of used automobile spare parts and metal fabrication. Activities of the artisans, generate large volumes of hazardous wastes which are unfortunately disposed of poorly and indiscriminately onto the bare soil. According to Dr Emmanuel Appiah-Adjei, the lead scientist, levels of the heavy metal determined for the water samples, showed that streams flowing through the site had concentration above World Health Organisation�s (WHO) maximum permissible values, as well as standards of the Ghana Water Company, for all the heavy metals. RISKS Dr. Appiah-Adjei pointed out that continuous spillage of the oil waste into the environment posed a threat to both surface water and groundwater quality �but since the groundwater is not treated before drinking like the surface water, it poses serious health risk once polluted�. He was giving a presentation at the first international conference on Engineering, Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship, organised by the KNUST, here recently. The conference, under the theme, �Promoting creativity and innovation through engineering, science, technology and entrepreneurship for development�, brought together scientists and technologists from around the globe to discuss positive approach to addressing Africa�s problems for regional development. Eighteen research papers were presented at the two-day forum after which entrepreneurs were tasked to develop outcomes into commercial products. NICKEL Dr. Appiah-Adjei estimated that waste oil spilled by the garages, ranged from 203 to 3,120 liters per year at an annual average of 1,415 liters per garage and stressed �the estimated waste oil spillage in Suame is about 60,295 liters per year�. He said tests conducted on boreholes already dug in the area, revealed heavy presence of lead and nickel in the ground as a result of the spillage and �with time one may see the oil on the surface of water�. He cautioned that if care was not taken, the pollution would extend to main streams in the Kumasi metropolis and the consequences would be badly felt.