Dalla Lana School of Public Health

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Title: “PQRA on Whin Valley Rice Field in Shama, Ghana”

The presentation focuses on the Preliminary Quantitative Risk Assessment (PQRA) of heavy metals contamination in agricultural soils within the Whin Valley rice fields of Ghana’s Shama District. The findings provide a foundation for understanding the potential health risks faced by farmers and residents, while also paving the way for further research and solutions. Additionally, the presentation will discuss the applicability of the Canadian PQRA in international contexts, strategies for effective risk communication, and the integration of environmental risk assessment with climate change adaptation to promote sustainable agriculture.

Speakers: Martin Bartels and Emmanuella Avornyoh

Martin Bartels holds a BSc in Natural Resources Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management from the Technical University of Dresden, Germany. Martin just completed his studies in MPH Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of Toronto. He has worked with the Department of Agriculture, Ghana, facilitating and coordinating Environmental Management in Agriculture. His research interests include climate change and health, agriculture, the circular economy, and environmental sustainability. Martin in 2022 advocated for environmental science communication, affordable housing, and sustainability at UNEP/UNESCO/BMUV 45-year celebration.

Emmanuella Avornyoh is a public health professional specializing in Occupational and Environmental Health. She holds an MPH from the University of Toronto and a BSc. in Biological Sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She has experience in public health research from Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, where she worked as a biomedical Researcher in the Virology Department. Her research interests span infectious disease surveillance, climate change, and the nexus between environmental exposures and health disparities. She aims to shape public health policy through evidence-based research. Emmanuella is dedicated to mentoring students to reach their full potential in academia and career-wise.