Living in Nairobi and including eggs in your diet may expose you to contaminated eggs, according to a report by the Centre for Environment Justice and Development (CEJAD). The study found that free-range chicken eggs collected near dumpsites, e-waste areas, and plastic waste recycling yards contained alarmingly high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are dangerous organic compounds that do not break down easily. The sampled eggs were obtained from Dandora and its surroundings, which is the largest dumpsite in Nairobi.
Experts explain that open burning of plastic waste at dumpsites releases chemicals such as furans and dioxins into the soil, air, and water. Free-range chickens, feeding on plants that grow in these contaminated environments, produce eggs with high POPs content. The concentrations of these chemicals in the eggs were found to be 111 times higher than the EU regulatory limits for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. Consuming a single egg from one location in Kenya could expose an adult to a toxic chemical dose that exceeds the EU daily safety limit for over 250 days.
This contamination extends beyond eggs to other food products in Nairobi’s food chain. Animals that feed around dumpsites, like Dandora, produce contaminated milk and meat, raising concerns about the overall contamination level of food in the city. However, it is important to note that not everyone who consumes eggs from free-range chickens in Nairobi is necessarily consuming contaminated eggs.
Plastic waste management is a significant challenge in many urban areas, with plastics containing POPs used in various industries. These chemicals are known to be harmful to human health and are considered unsafe for consumption. The Dandora dumpsite is described as the largest health hazard for Nairobi residents, as POPs can travel through the air, exposing everyone in the city to these toxins.
The CEJAD report calls for systematic measures to eliminate and replace hazardous chemicals used in plastics, supporting a non-toxic circular economy. The organization also emphasizes the importance of transparency regarding the chemicals used in plastics, allowing stakeholders to protect workers and consumers from potential risks while efficiently utilizing resources.