EPA’s nano-copper cleanup may not remove toxic metals from water bodies — Expert

Professor Paul Poku Sampene Ossei, a Forensic Pathologist has expressed doubt on the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) use of ironic nano-copper technology to cleanse the Birim River.

The EPA has launched a pilot water cleansing exercise on the Birim River at Adiukrom in the Asiakwa area to address pollution caused by illegal mining.

In a public notice ahead of the exercise which took place on Tuesday, February 24, the Authority said, “This initiative forms part of ongoing national efforts to combat the growing pollution of water bodies, particularly as a result of illegal mining activities.”

EPA Executive Director, Professor Nana Ama Klutse, has indicated that the intervention will cost about $200,000 per kilometre of flowing river.

However, according to Professor Ossei, the technology is primarily designed to eliminate microorganisms and not heavy metals from polluted water bodies.

Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, February 24, Prof. Ossei explained that nano-copper is used to filter bacteria, viruses and fungi at microscopic levels.

“I don’t think so. Typically, it is meant for purification of bacteria, fungi and viruses from water bodies,” he noted when asked whether the technology can treat heavy metals concentrated in polluted rivers.

The forensic pathologist further cautioned that while copper is essential to the human body, it must be consumed in very small quantities.

“Copper is an essential element which humans actually need, but we need it in very, very small quantities, and we don’t need to exceed certain limits. Exceeding certain limits will bring a lot of problems to the human body and even to the environment,” he said.