Assessment of Groundwater Contamination by Textile Effluent Discharges in Ikorodu, Nigeria

This paper assessed physicochemical properties (temperature, pH, acidity, alkalinity, colour, odour, taste, EC, TDS, TH, turbidity, bicarbonate, phosphate, nitrate, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl- & SO42- as well as heavy metal concentrations heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) of selected wells and borehole near textile industries in Ikorodu, Nigeria. The physicochemical parameters were analysed using standard methods by APHA, while heavy metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The pH of water from the boreholes and hand-dug wells ranged from 5.90 to 6.70. The well water had higher total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sulphate and chloride compared to the boreholes. Alkalinity in the boreholes ranged from 740.2 to 820.4 mg L-1 compared to wells that ranged from 144.4 to 670.2 mg L-1. EC for the boreholes ranged from 124.5-182.3 μS cm-1 compared to EC of wells that ranged from 216.2-385.6 μS cm-1. TDS ranged from 48.6-60.3 mg L-1 in the borehole compared to 62.5-120 mg L-1 in the wells. Concentration of Fe ranged from 0.12 to 1.2 mg L-1 in the boreholes compared to 1.2 to 1.60 mg L-1 found in the well water. Zn, Pb, and Cu ranged from 0.60 to 1.20 mg L-1, 0.02 to 0.03 mg L-1 and 0.04 to 0.06 mg L-1 respectively. Concentrations of Fe and Pb were above the permissible limits of WHO and NIS. A possible source of pollution is seepage of effluent discharge through the porous soil into the groundwater and this poses great danger to the health of the people who consume the water

Assessment of Traffic Related Heavy Metals Pollution of Roadside Soils in Emerging Urban Centres in Ijebu-North Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the concentration of eight critical heavy metals in the roadside soils of selected urban centres in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, SW, Nigeria. Thirty-six composite soil samples were collected along the roadside based on distances to the roads. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in roadside soils in some selected locations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Accumulation of heavy metals in top soils is greately influenced by traffic volume and all the heavy metals exhibited a significant reduction in the roadside soils with increasing distance from the road. Metal concentrations in the roadside soils followed order of Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu>Mn>Cd>Cr. Concentration of Zn was 156.09 mg/Kg in roadside soils of Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye which is experiencing high volume of traffic , while it ranged from 10 \u2013 47 mg/Kg for Ijebu-Igbo/Bajowa/Akanran road with low traffic volume. Pb concentration of 26.7 mg/Kg was observed in : Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye road especially in centre of the city. Concentration of all heavy metals examined were below the EU guideline, however, the paper suggested a regular monitoring and assessment to ensure sustainable management of the urban environment and reduction of traffic-related contamination of soil, plants and water

Assessment of Traffic Related Heavy Metals Pollution of Roadside Soils in Emerging Urban Centres in Ijebu-North Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the concentration of eight critical heavy metals in the roadside soils of selected urban centres in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, SW, Nigeria. Thirty-six composite soil samples were collected along the roadside based on distances to the roads. Physiochemical properties and concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in roadside soils in some selected locations were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Accumulation of heavy metals in top soils is greately influenced by traffic volume and all the heavy metals exhibited a significant reduction in the roadside soils with increasing distance from the road. Metal concentrations in the roadside soils followed order of Zn>Pb>Fe>Cu>Mn>Cd>Cr. Concentration of Zn was 156.09 mg/Kg in roadside soils of Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye which is experiencing high volume of traffic , while it ranged from 10 – 47 mg/Kg for Ijebu-Igbo/Bajowa/Akanran road with low traffic volume. Pb concentration of 26.7 mg/Kg was observed in : Ijebu-Igbo/Oru/Ago-Iwoye road especially in centre of the city. Concentration of all heavy metals examined were below the EU guideline, however, the paper suggested a regular monitoring and assessment to ensure sustainable management of the urban environment and reduction of traffic-related contamination of soil, plants and water

Concentration of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Estimated Human Health Risk of Water Samples Around Atlas Cove, Lagos, Nigeria

Background. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common pollutants in water and have been reported to cause severe health effects in humans as well as the ecosystem. Objectives. This study examined the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and estimated the human health risk from water samples around Atlas Cove jetty, Lagos, Nigeria. Methods. Physical and chemical parameters and PAHs were determined in Atlas Cove jetty water using standard methods from June to August 2016 at five different points of activity. Chronic daily intake through ingestion, exposure dose via dermal absorption and carcinogenic risks were calculated for children and adults. Results. Electrical conductivity values ranged from 23,600±57.74 - 30,000±57.74 μS/cm. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 6.27±0.46 - 9.60±0.00 mg/L. Biochemical oxygen demand levels ranged from 2.93±0.61 - 7.33±0.23 mg/L and total dissolved solid ranged from 17,500±57.74 - 20,000±57.74 mg/L for the water samples, which was higher than permissible limits. The values obtained for pH, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate, sulphate and phosphate for the water samples were within World Health Organization (WHO) limits except for pH at point 2 (3.18±0.02). A total of eleven PAH congeners were detected in the water samples. The concentrations of total PAHs observed in water samples ranged from 46 - 507 μg/L. Low molecular weight PAHs were more dominant in all samples. It was observed that 2–3 ring PAHs accounted for 63.64% of PAHs, 4-rings PAHs accounted for 27.27% of PAHs, and 5–6 ring PAHs accounted for 9.09% of PAHs. Conclusions. Carcinogenic risks calculated for both adults and children were higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) acceptable cancer risk, and much higher for children, which suggests that children could be prone to cancer through ingestion. Fauna and flora around the Atlas Cove jetty may be at risk due to water pollution. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests

Assessment of the Pollution Status of Eleyele Lake, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Background. Lakes are a vital water resource, but are adversely affected by pollutants such as heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from urban, agricultural and industrial activities. This can give rise to potential pollution-related health problems such as cancer and infectious diseases. Risk assessments are necessary to determine the degree of pollution and its effects on human health and ecological systems. Objectives. This study assessed the pollution status and a risk assessment was calculated to determine the degree of the pollution and its effects on the human health and the ecological system of Eleyele Lake in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods. Physical and chemical parameters, heavy metals and PCBs were determined in the lake water using standard methods from December 2013 to February 2014 at ten different sites of anthropogenic activity. Results. Water pH ranged from 6.00–7.50, while electrical conductivity ranged from 205.00–221.00 μs/cm3. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 0.30–6.00 mg/L and total dissolved solids ranged from 105.00–113.00 mg/L. Phosphate levels ranged from 13–0.99 mg/L. Nitrate and sulphate in the dry season ranged from (3.10–3.80 and 35.81–40.97 mg/L) and (0.12– 0.37 and 6.10–10.30 mg/L) in the wet season. Heavy metal concentrations were in the order cadmium (Cd) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu) > chromium (Cr) > lead (Pb) for the dry season and Cd > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu for the wet season. Total PCBs ranged from 493.90–732.55 μg/L and 52.00–390.03 μg/L for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. All determined physical and chemical parameters were within permissible levels, while heavy metals and PCB concentrations were higher than permissible levels. Discussion. The hazard quotients and carcinogenic risk values were greater than acceptable limits, indicating that PCBs in Eleyele lake water pose adverse health effects to the local population. It was observed in this study that lower chlorinated PCBs were more prevalent than higher chlorinated PCBs. This may be attributed to the fact that the lower chlorinated PCBs are influenced by atmospheric deposition as a result of their volatility, and they are more susceptible to atmospheric transport than highly chlorinated PCBs. Conclusions. PCBs possess serious health risks to the population that depends on the lake as a source of domestic water and its aquatic organisms. Efforts are needed to reduce anthropogenic influence on the lake through strict environmental controls. Competing Interests. The authors declare no financial competing interests

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways