Essential and Non-Essential Metals Profile in Blood of some Nigerian Pregnant Women

In this study, the concentrations of some essential (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, and Zn) and non-essential metals (Cd and Pb) were determined in blood of pregnant women aged between 15 – 45 years and enrolled at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile – Ife, Nigeria, for antenatal care. Fifty samples of whole blood were collected from the pregnant women and twenty five samples from non pregnant women as control. Levels of essential and non- essential metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The analyses were performed in order to assess the body burden of pregnant women with the metals and the health implications of the latter to pregnant women and their fetuses. Data analysis by descriptive and inferential statistics revealed that age, education, and profession correlate with the levels of the metals. The mean levels of the two non-essential metals obtained in this study were lower than the recommended limits for whole blood. While compared with other studies of pregnant women elsewhere results obtain were generally higher. Generally the values obtained in this study have indicated no serious body burden on the pregnant women. The importance of establishing factors that influence low human exposure concentrations is becoming critical in efforts to reduce exposures and hence the potential for adverse health effects. ©JASE

Agama lizard: A potential biomarker of environmental heavy metal pollution assessment

In this study, the suitability of Agama lizard as a biomarker in assessing environmental pollution levels of arsenium (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was investigated. Samples of top soil and agama lizards were taken from five sites within a university community in Nigeria for the study. Soil samples, livers and kidneys from the lizards were subjected to wet acid digestion and levels of heavy metals in the digested samples were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results of the study showed that the levels of the metals ranged from Cd, 20.4 ± 2.6 ìg/g to Zn, 978.6 ± 2.2 ìg/g in soil; Cd, not detected to Zn, 42.2 ± 0.3 ìg/g in liver; As and Ba, not detected to 47.6 ± 1.0 ìg/g Zn in kidney. The inter matrices correlation coefficient values obtained for the heavy metals showed that the kidney of lizards would be more relevant in assessing soil levels of such heavy metals as As, Ba, Cd, Mn and Pb among others.Key words: Agama lizard, environmental pollution, soil, heavy metals, liver, kidney

Self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms in southwest Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Self-medication with antibiotics is an important factor contributing to the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics for the treatment of menstrual symptoms among university women in Southwest Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to female undergraduate and graduate students (n = 706) at four universities in Southwest Nigeria in 2008. The universities were selected by convenience and the study samples within each university were randomly selected cluster samples. The survey was self-administered and included questions pertaining to menstrual symptoms, analgesic and antibiotic use patterns, and demographics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: The response rate was 95.4%. Eighty-six percent (95% CI: 83-88%) of participants experienced menstrual symptoms, and 39% (95% CI: 36-43%) reported using analgesics to treat them. Overall, 24% (95% CI: 21-27%) of participants reported self-medicated use of antibiotics to treat the following menstrual symptoms: cramps, bloating, heavy bleeding, headaches, pimples/acne, moodiness, tender breasts, backache, joint and muscle pain. Factors associated with this usage were: lower levels of education (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1-7.1, p-value: 0.03); nonscience major (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.03-2.50, p-value: 0.04); usage of analgesics (OR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.07-4.86, p-value: <0.001); and mild to extreme heavy bleeding (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.67, p-value: 0.05) and pimples/acne (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 0.98-2.54, p-value: 0.06). Ampicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were used to treat the most symptoms. Doctors or nurses (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%), friends (6%, 95% CI: 4-7%) and family members (7%, 95% CI: 5-8%) were most likely to recommend the use of antibiotics for menstrual symptoms, while these drugs were most often obtained from local chemists or pharmacists (10.2%, 95% CI: 8-12%). Conclusions: This is the first formal study to report that approximately 1 out of 4 university women surveyed in Southwest Nigeria self-medicate with antibiotics to treat menstrual symptoms. This practice could provide monthly, low-dose exposures to antibiotics among users. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impacts of selfmedication on student health

Effect of coagulant treatment on the metal composition of raw water

This study reports the results of an investigation on the use of two coagulants, namely Al2 (SO4)3 and Fe2 (SO4)3 which were investigated for their capabilities to reduce the metal levels of raw river water samples when treated. Generally, the percentage removal of the metals from raw water samples increased with mg/l dosage of either coagulant used. Although both coagulants were efficient in removing Cr and Ni, generally Fe2 (SO4)3 was proved to be the more efficient coagulant for the removal of all the metals studied. Fe2 (SO4)3 was 89.58% efficient in removing Cr and 99.73% efficient in removing Ni. It was 68.42% efficient in removing Zn, 40.14% efficient in removing Mn and 35.29% efficient in removing Cd (all at 13 mg/l dosage of coagulant). Judging from these results and taking into consideration the potential health threat to man from the possible Al contamination of treated water from the use of aluminium-based coagulants, the use of Fe2 (SO4)3 as coagulant in water treatment for the removal of suspended matter was preferred and would be highly recommended. WaterSA Vol.28(3) 2002: 293-29

Elemental Profile in Amniotic Fluid of some Nigerian Pregnant Women

In this study concentration level of calcium, cadmium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead and zinc were determined in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women, aged 15 – 45 years enrolled at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile – Ife. This was with a view to predict the body burden of the metals in the pregnant women and assess the health implications of the toxic elements to the pregnantwomen and their fetuses. Fifty samples of the amniotic fluid were collected from the pregnant women. The efficiency of extraction of trace metals  using conventional wet acid digestion method (CDM) and microwave induced acid digestion method (MWD) was determined by recovery  experiments. Levels of trace metals were determined using Atomic  Absorption Spectrophotometry. The high percentage recoveries obtained  from MWD made it a more efficient method than the CDM and hence its adoption for sample digestion. Statistical analysis of data using descriptive and inferential statistics revealed that age; education and profession have effects on the levels of the trace metals. The mean levels of most of the toxic metals obtained in this study were lower than the recommended limits of trace metals in women whole blood.Key Words: Amniotic Fluid, Pregnant Women, Metals, Nigeri

Trace metal pollution in Umtata River

Dissolved trace metals, i.e Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were determined in the Umtata River. High levels of Al, Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu were observed, which may affect the “health” of the aquatic ecosystem. The high levels of Al, Cd and Pb may also affect the health of the rural community that uses the river water directly for domestic use without treatment. Generally the sources of the metals in the river appear to be diffuse, which include rural, urban and agricultural runoff sources in the catchment, although there may be contributions from natural and point sources. WaterSA Vol.28(2) 2002:183-19

Pollution assessment in the Keiskamma River and in the impoundment downstream

The Keiskamma River and the impoundment, downstream were characterised over a one-year period by using standard physicochemical methods to assess their present qualities. The pH levels are normal in the river and in the impoundment but turbidity values and the levels of electrical conductivity are high in both water systems. Also, the nutrient levels in both systems are eutrophic. The DO and BOD levels exceeded EU guideline values for the protection of the aquatic ecosystem. The Keiskammahoek Sewage Treatment Plant (KSTP) was identified as a pollution point source into the receiving river and the impoundment. Its treatment performance was investigated. Significant pollution of the river and the impoundment from the KSTP was indicated for electrical conductivity, nutrients and oxygen-demanding substances.NR

IMPACT OF THE EFFLUENT DISCHARGE FROM A BREWERY PLANT ON THREE COMMUNITIES IN IBADAN MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

A preliminary assessment of the extent of pollution of water, soil and plant due to an effluent discharge from a brewery industry to the territory of three rural communities in Ibadan municipality was carried out. Chemical analysis of the brewery effluent, receiving stream, ground (well) water, soil and plant samples taken randomly from cultivated land at the stream bank were carried out. The results showed higher concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni in most of the water samples with values higher than the WHO, EU and USA standards tolerant levels. The pH for the stream and well water ranged between 5.35 and 6.65, some of which are below the WHO recommended levels of between 6.0 and 9.0 meant for human consumption. Furthermore, the pH of sampled soils ranged from 4.75 to 5.35 indicating acid medium, while concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu and Ni were observed to be higher in some of the soil samples compared to the reference samples both at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. However, plant analysis results showed that some of the samples contained high levels of Cu, Fe and Mn, while Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr were not detected. There was therefore contamination of surface and ground water, which could probably be hazardous to human health when used primarily for domestic purposes. KEY WORDS: Effluent; Heavy metals; Water pollution; Soil pollution. Global Jnl Pure & Applied Science Vol.10(1) 2004: 211-21