The effects of carbamate pesticide on fish in freshwater ecosystems: A review

There are potential hazards o non-target organisms associated with uncontrolled use of pesticides in agriculture and other purposes. Carbaryl is a methyl-carbamate 1- naphtholenol marketed in Nigeria as Vetox 85R and used in controlling soil insects and many insect pests of cash crops. It is also employed in controlling mites, lice, fleas, and ticks on poultry, cattle and domestic pets. Indiscriminate application on crop farms by aerial and ground spray, accidental spillages, dumping of empty pesticide containers into freshwaters and open fields, and leakages from containers are important means through which Vetox 85R gains entry into the environment. Vetox 85R is also applied on ponds and stagnant water purposely to control aquatic insects. Research reports reveal chronic and acute toxic effects of this chemical on fish and fish food. The deleterious effects of sublethal concentrations of carbaryl on fish during spawning period include rupture of blood vessels supplying the ovary with blood, rupture of ovigerous lamellae and enlargement of oocysts. Behavioral impact on fish includes restlessness. Chronically sub-lethal concentrations also resulted in hypoglycemia and depletion of liver glycogen. Other effects include rupture of the columnar epithelium of fish stomach. Carbamate insecticides are generally neurotoxic, inhibiting activity of cholinesterase. High concentration of carbaryl in water leads to fish and fish-food mortality. Keywords: Carbaryl; fish; freshwater ecosystems; pesticideInternational Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 235-24

Risk assessment: Prevalent occupational hazards in Nigerian petroleum oil refining and distribution industry

Background: In terms of human suffering and related economic costs, the magnitude of global impact of occupational accidents and diseases, as well as major industrial disasters, has been a long-standing source of concern at the international, national, and workplace level.Objective: To define the prevalent hazards in the operational environment of the Nigerian petroleum oil refining and distribution industry likely to challenge the health of the workers, with a view to establishing sound basis for recommending appropriate remedial measures.Design: The staff of these establishments work in departments, which for the purposes of our study were split further into many smaller units in order to capture the specific hazards of the many different functions (activities) performed by different sections of a particular department in their particular locations.Setting: The operational environments- facilities and activities of Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), and Pipe lines and Petroleum Product Marketing Company (PPMC), both in Alessa, Eleme near Port Harcourt, Nigeria.Subjects: Staff of the two establishments who have served for a period not less than three years. Those with less service years (exposure period) were excluded in the study.Method: Using a checklist, an on-the-spot appraisal of the industrial sites, facilities and activities of this industrial sector was undertaken through personal walk-through of the operational sites and facilities, and personal participation/involvement in the operational activities of the various units during the study period. We also had a one-on-one interaction (through oral interviews) with staff of the establishments to elicit their views concerning the hazards of their workplace.Results: A survey of the facilities and activities of the Nigerian petroleum oil refining and distribution industry showed that they are fraught with sundry hazards types. The study revealed specific hazards inherent in the specific work areas/departments, units, facilities and activities/functions of this industry. A review of these hazards showed that they fell into five main occupational hazard categories- physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards. The study also revealed that some facilities have become obsolete, defective and hazardous themselves, in addition to becoming outlets for other sundry hazards. It is believed that sundry job exposures to these workplace hazards are responsible for the several but varied degrees of accidents, injuries and morbidities as well as mortalities also recorded in this industry.Conclusion: The current state of facilities as well as activities at the operational units of petroleum oil refining and distribution industry in Nigeria are fraught with several hazards that are categorizable into five main hazard types- physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial and ergonomic hazards- a situation that disposes staff to sundry health risks. Therefore, there is urgent need for a comprehensive review/update of the industrial /occupational health policy and services in this very critical sector of the Nigerian economy in order to mitigate these hazards and their associated health risks, thereby securing safer and healthier facilities and work environment for the workers. It is hoped that the findings of this study have provided a useful basis or background for this

Appraisals for potential hazards in the operational environment and facilities of petroleum refining and distribution industry in Nigeria

Objective: To appraise operational environments and facilities of  petroleum refining and distribution industry in Nigeria with a view to establishing the potential hazards/health risksDesign: A prospective study.Setting: The Operational environments- facilities and activities of PHRC and PPMC, Eleme near Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Personal walk-through of the operational sites and facilities using checklist, participation in the various units’ activities, and oral interviews of staff concerning the health hazards/risks of their workplace.Results: Five main occupational hazard categories were revealed- physical, chemical, biological, psychosocial, and ergonomic hazards. Sundry job exposures to these workplace hazards are suspected to be responsible for the accidents, injuries morbidities, and mortalities recorded in this industry. Conclusion: Current state of facilities and activities at the operational units of petroleum refining and distribution industry in Nigeria are fraught with several hazards, categorizable into five main hazard types, a situationthat disposes staff to sundry health risks. Facility upgrade and industrial health services updates are thus warranted for abatement of  hazards/associated health risks, and securing safer facilities and healthier work environment.Key words: Nigeria, Petroleum refining and distribution industry, Potential Hazards, Risk assessmen