Blood-Lead levels among Inhabitants of Enyigba Lead-Zinc Mining Community of Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Indications of Occupational and Environmental Health Hazards
Journal Title: Advances in Clinical Toxicology - Year 2019, Vol 4, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Artisanal mining activities have become a significant occupation among the inhabitants of Enyigba community in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objective: This study investigated the blood-lead levels of some subjects of Enyigba lead-zinc mining community. Methods: A questionnaire on health hazards and safety measures associated with the mining activities was administered to the participants. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of blood-lead levels by standard methods. Results: Males dominated in the occupationally-exposed (56.18%) and females (62.30%) dominated in the environmentally-exposed. Almost all the occupationally-exposed subjects (96.63%) and environmentally-exposed subjects (80.33%) store mined products in their houses. Majority of the occupationally-exposed subjects (69.67%) were not aware of the hazards and safety measures, and 75.28% did not use personal protective devices. Headache (74.40%) was reported as the most prevalent sickness. The occupationally and environmentally-exposed subjects had mean bloodlead levels of 42.30µg/dl and 28.67µg/dl, respectively, which were significantly higher (p<0.0001) than the control levels. Conclusion: Given the increasing participation of many households in lead mining activities and the storage of the lead products in homes, lead contamination may remain a significant public health issue in the study area.
Authors and Affiliations
Bello H Tilako, Fred C Otuu*, Bassey E Bassey and Elvis N Shu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP751666
- DOI 10.23880/act-16000162
- Views 1
- Downloads 0
Natural Co-Occurrence of Aflatoxins, Cyclopiazonic Acid, and their Production by Aspergillus Flavus Isolates from Corn Grown in Egypt
Mycotoxins are metabolites of fungi that can adversely affect animal and human health. Mycotoxins can be produced in corn during storage or processing, but are most frequently associated with fungal infection that occur...
The Implication of Molecular Diagnosis and Good Laboratory Practices in the Reduction of Laboratory Animal Disease: An Approach for Management of Healthcare in Animal Facilities
Diagnosis of diseases is concerned with the identification of accurate and precise causal factors and the direct and indirect relationship between host and organisms. Infectious disease diagnosis in laboratory animals i...
Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Coastal Sediments between Al-Haymah and Al-Mokha, South Red Sea, Yemen
The area between Al-Haymah and Al-Mokha on the Red Sea of Yemen is a promising region for future tourism development. It is also characterized by population activities, especially fishing in more than one location and t...
Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes of A Sentinel Species, the Western Alaska Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes)
Mercury (Hg) is a metal of both natural and anthropogenic origins that bioaccumulates in wildlife. Environmental risk assessments to arctic wildlife, such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), often use mercury analysis of ha...
The Level of Lead (Pb) among Students in Qatar Schools and its Relationship to Academic Achievement and Violent Behavior
Introduction: Lead (Pb) has no any known biological or physiological function in the body. Its accumulation has been associated with various damaging effects, particularly in the nervous system. Study objectives: to me...