Assessment of Noise and Associated Health Impacts at Selected Secondary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background. Most schools in Ibadan, Nigeria, are located near major roads (mobile line sources). We conducted an initial assessment of noise levels and adverse noise-related health and learning effects. Methods. For this descriptive, cross-sectional study, four schools were selected randomly from eight participating in overall project. We administered 200 questionnaires, 50 per school, assessing health and learning-related outcomes. Noise levels (A-weighted decibels, dBA) were measured with calibrated sound level meters. Traffic density was assessed for school with the highest measured dBA. Observational checklists assessed noise control parameters and building physical attributes. Results. Short-term, cross-sectional school-day noise levels ranged 68.3–84.7 dBA. Over 60% of respondents reported that vehicular traffic was major source of noise, and over 70% complained being disturbed by noise. Three schools reported tiredness, and one school lack of concentration, as the most prevalent noise-related health problems. Conclusion. Secondary school occupants in Ibadan, Nigeria were potentially affected by exposure to noise from mobile line sources

EMERGENCE OF NEW STRAINS OF SARS-COV-2: AFRICA’S FATE AND ITS PREPAREDNESS AGAINST COVID-19 INFECTION WAVES

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2) has infected over 100million individuals worldwide with diverse impacts on nations. The rising cases of new strains and resultant infection waves create an urgent need to assess the readiness of countries especially in Africa to mitigate the impact on community transmission. This paper delivers a brief synopsis of the novel SARS-CoV-2, emerging cases of new variants reported worldwide, and implications for genetic surveillance of disease transmission in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) especially Africa. Materials and Methods: Literature search used keywords like SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 epidemiology; pandemic waves; corona outbreak, clinical syndromes, treatments, prevention and control. Cross-sectional and observational studies published on COVID-19 from 2019 till date of study provided main information sources. Databases such as Web of Science, Embase, PubMed and Google Scholar were utilised. Main findings: Over 220 countries have documented COVID-19 cases with varied severity till date. Before the spikes in resurgence, a highly virulent mutated (>90% fatality rate) novel strain of COVID-19 had been documented. There is very little data to ascertain the impact of the COVID-19 infection waves in LMICs. Discussion: LMICs especially African countries still grapple with significant challenges like inefficient surveillance mechanisms, inadequate vaccination coverage, inadequate enforcement of environmental health strategies, poor health systems etc. Hence, Africa’s fate remains dicey in the face of the dynamic evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 and other identified challenges. Conclusion:  The adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to mitigate the impact of emergence of mutant SARS-CoV-2 variants and resurgence of infection spike is recommende

Chemical speciation and health risks of airborne heavy metals around an industrial community in Nigeria.

Quantification of PM2.5 (particulate matter <2.5 μm) bound heavy metals and their potential health risks were carried out around a cement manufacturing company in Ewekoro, Nigeria. The PM2.5 samples were collected using Environtech gravimetric sampler. A four-staged sequential extraction procedure was used to fractionate PM2.5 bound chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and silver (Ag), and further analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chemical speciation results reveal bioavailable levels of Pb (4.05 μg/m3), Cr (10.75 μg/m3), Al (16.47 μg/m3), Cu (4.38E-01 μg/m3), and Ag (1.22E-02 μg/m3) in the airborne particulates. Pb and Cr levels exceeded the World Health Organization allowable limit of 0.5 and 2.5E-05 μg/m3, respectively. The labile phases showed strong indication of the presence of Cr and Cu metal. Excess cancer risks exposure for adults, outdoor workers and children were higher than the acceptable risk target level of 1E-06. Noncarcinogenic health risk estimated using hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard indices (HIs) showed ingestion route within the safe level of HI <1 implying no adverse effect while inhalation route exceeded the safe level for all receptors. Enforcement of pollution control by authorized agencies, and screening of greenbelts as sinks for air pollutants is strongly recommended

Carboxyhaemoglobin Levels among Traders Exposed to Vehicular Emissions in Three Motor Parks in Ibadan, Nigeria

Carbon monoxide (CO) remains a leading cause of work-related chemical poisoning. Vehicular emissions are the primary daily ambient source of CO in urban Nigerian motor parks, where there have been few human exposure studies. Using a cross-sectional comparative design, we assessed carboxyhaemoglobin levels (% COHb), a biomarker of CO exposure, among traders at three motor parks (AMP, IMP, and NMP) and other traders (nonmotor park workers) in Ibadan, Nigeria, using a noninvasive pulse CO-dosimeter (Rad 57). Ninety-three traders were proportionally allocated between motor parks; 93 other traders were selected based on specific study inclusion criteria. Mean ages of motor park traders and other traders were comparable, 37.8±11.1 and 38.7±9.6, respectively. Mean % COHb for traders (range 3–22) at AMP, IMP, and NMP was 11.2±3.8, 11.6±3.1, and 12.2±3.3, respectively, while mean % COHb for other traders was about three times lower, 4.1±1.7 (range 2–8). Overall, mean % COHb for motor park traders, 11.7±3.3, was also significantly higher than for other traders (p<0.05). Nevertheless, mean % COHb for both groups exceeded the current World Health Organization guideline, 2.5%. This study suggested that motor park traders have higher % COHb and thus are highly susceptible to exposure and more vulnerable to known risks of adverse health effects from exposure to CO