Environmental pollution, particularly contamination of water sources, is increasingly becoming a major risk factor for kidney disease, health professional says.
Speaking during a World Kidney Day discussion on Dreamz FM, physician specialist Dr. Emmanuel Anafo highlighted the connection between environmental health and kidney function.
This year’s World Kidney Day theme, “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Planet,” emphasizes the link between human health and environmental protection.
According to Anafo, the kidneys process a significant portion of the blood circulating in the body, meaning that harmful substances introduced into the environment can directly affect kidney health.
“Anytime the heart pumps blood, about 25 percent of it goes to the kidneys,” he said. “Whatever is in the blood, the kidneys will interact with it.”
He pointed to illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, as a major environmental concern in Ghana due to the use of chemicals such as mercury in gold processing.
“These heavy metals can contaminate water bodies and eventually enter the human body through drinking water or food,” Anafo said. “Long-term exposure can damage the kidneys.”
The physician also noted that pollution from fertilizers, contaminated water, and unsafe food sources could expose people to toxins that affect kidney function.
Recent efforts to clean polluted rivers illustrate the scale of the challenge, he said, noting that environmental restoration can be extremely costly.
“It takes enormous resources to clean even a small section of polluted water,” Anafo said, stressing that prevention remains the best solution.
The health professional says protecting natural resources, including water bodies, is essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for public health.
“Keeping our environment safe means protecting our kidneys as well,” Anafo said.
