Acute toxicity assessment of crude lead-extract from electronic waste materials in Nigeria

Lead, with its toxic emission and pollution, is one of the hazardous chemical components of electronic wastes (e-wastes) rapidly generated in developing countries. This study assessed the environmental health effects of crude lead extracted from e-wastes materials, as determined by its acute toxicity (rat, oral). Diluted HNO3 and hot concentrated HCl tests were used to confirm the presence of lead in the extract. LD50 (400 mg/kg) showed higher toxicity than the lowest toxic dose of 790 mg/kg reported in literature. There was a perfect positive correlation between the log dose and dead percentage, which was significant at 0.014, with 0.99° of confidence. The R2 (0.839) and significance F (0.029) showed high reliability. In view of this, we recommend the inclusion of enlightenment and making/enforcing adequate policies for improved management and control of e-waste materials.Key words: Environmental health effect, toxic chemical component, e-waste

An appraisal of the handler awareness of electrical and electronic equipment toxicity in Nigeria

No Abstract

Haematological parameters and haemoglobin genotype in maternal and cord blood pairs in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: The study was conducted to ascertain the pattern of haematological parameters and haemoglobin genotype in maternal and cord blood pairs in the Port Harcourt area of the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and three (103) postpartum women and their newborns were randomly recruited into the study. Five millilitres (5ml) of blood was taken from the mothers and their respective babies and analyzed for haematological parameters and haemoglobin genotype. Results: Haemoglobin concentration (Hb) in mothers was 10.90-14.45 g/dl (PCV, 32.42-43.92%). Hb in cord blood was 12.50-17.68 g/dl (PCV, 37.5-52.90%). Average total white blood cell count (WBC) in mothers was 3.32-10.70 X 109/l and in cord blood, 4.10-13.10X109/l. Haemoglobin genotype revealed that AS was higher in maternal blood (17.5% vs 4.8%) while AA was higher in cord blood (94.2% vs 82.5%). Conclusion: The study adds to the data base of reference haematological values in Nigeria, especially the South-South zone and suggests that the frequency of the AS genotype may be undergoing a gradual reduction in subsequent generations as malaria is being controlled makings its relative advantage less important. Testing of prospective couples and counselling of AS individuals is still very important. Keywords: Haematological parameters, Haemoglobin, Cord blood, Port HarcourtPort Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 2 (3) 2008: pp. 249-25