Knowledge of Environmental Laws and Extent of Compliance to the Practice of Green Chemistry among Industrialists in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Human activities such as industrial development, fossil fuel burning, agricultural practices account for changes in the environment, hence Nigeria has regulations, laws and policies with fine and penalties to enhance benign practices involving creation and diversification of chemical reactions that gives new products and processes that are sustainable, reducing waste or harmful matter in the environment. Based on this background, the study investigated the knowledge of environmental laws and extent of compliance to the practice of green chemistry principles among industrialists in Southern Nigeria. The study was quantitatively designed to investigate three industrial states comprised Rivers, Delta and Lagos States. Purposively, one hundred and three industrialists were selected due to accessibility problem. A validated Industrialists’ Questionnaire (IQ) consisting of two sections having 25 items on environmental laws and expected green chemistry practice was used to elicit information. Data collected were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA. Among others, the findings showed that, industrialists having knowledge of environmental laws had better practice of green chemistry principles than their counterparts who do not have (t-cal 6.62 =P<0.05), while industrialists’ qualification had no significant difference on their practice of green chemistry principles (F-cal 0.62 = p>0.60).Thus, publicity on environmental laws and benign practices should be given strong attention among industrialists.