Environmental toxicology: Acute effects of suspended particulate matter (dust) on hematological indices of albino rats

The elemental contents of suspended particulate matter (dust) samples from Maiduguri, Nigeria, were determined which showed appreciably high levels for especially Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, K, Ca, and. Na. Wister albino rats were exposed to graded doses of phosphate buffered saline carried dust particles. The hematological indices of the exposed rats were examined on days 10, 20, 30, and 60 post administrations. White blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin counts peaked between days 20 and 30. This observation was markedly so for the higher doses, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, in contrast to the 500 mg/kg dose. The platelet count however indicated a gradual increase within the study period. Observed changes for these indices from the control values were found significant at 99% confidence level. Possible inhalatory problems are thus anticipated from prolonged accumulation of the dust in the respiratory system. KEY WORDS: Environmental toxicology, Suspended particulate matter, Dust analysis, Hematological indices, Wister albino rats  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2004, 18(2), 215-220

Specific gravity and antibacterial assays of some synthetic industrial essential oils

Samples of synthetic industrial essential oil (SIEO) were assayed to provide basis for establishing correlation and validation of claims of its density, disinfectant and germicidal properties with its natural counterparts. Specific gravity (SG) and antibacterial assays were carried out on twenty typical SIEO samples that are commonly used in Northern Nigeria. The results show that mean SG was 0.970 with 5% coefficient of variance (CV) between samples and was not statistically significant following Kolmogorov-Smirnov error protection at 95% confidence limit. Antimicrobial activity test results consisting of bioautography and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests present variable effects of the SIEO S. aureus and E. coli but are not completely dependent on each other. Generally, the results of SG determinations for SIEO correspond greatly with SG values of most natural essential oils extracts and that up 70% SIEO showed antibacterial activity. The SIEO studied like their naturalcounterpart may contain certain antibacterial agents with similar effects to standard Chloramphenicol used in this work. However, further studies are required to justify the safety of the application of SIEO as antimicrobial agents. Keywords: synthetic fragrance, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, human healt

Pollutant levels in effluent samples from tanneries and textiles of Kano industrial areas, Nigeria

Effluent samples from tanneries and textile industries from Kano industrial area of Challawa, Bompai and Sharada industrial area were collected on quarterly basis from June to September, 2007 (Rainy season), November,2007 – February, 2008 (Harmattan season) and March – May, 2008 (Dry season) to reflect the seasonal factors. Effluents from ten industries were sampled and determined for physicochemical parameters. The physicochemical pollutants indicators determined include; Biological oxygen demand (BOD) and Chemical oxygen demand (COD) which all depend on the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) in effluent samples. Anions and trace elements were also determined. The above parameters were determined using standard procedures. From the results of the study, the concentrations of BOD, COD, DO, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, phosphate, chloride and heavy metals were higher than the limits set by WHO for the discharged of tanneries and textile effluents into river. Result of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that variations between some industries were statistically significant (p≤0.05), but there were no marked seasonal variation in all the industries studied. Based on the high levels of the above parameters, it can be suggested that regular monitory of pollutants in the tannery and textile effluent are necessary to ensure proper discharge of these effluents into receiving river

Chemical Evaluation of Drilling Effluents and The Recovery of Secondary Ores at Petroleum Discharge and Drilling Sites in Gubio, Borno State

Samples drawn within the composition!: field covered petroleu11 discharge and drillillg sites in seven locations have bee11 U.lllllysed. Gubio drillinF site labeled c was compared with the bulk of the dataj from previous !!)cations 11~ subjected to statistical clustering. It was observed ~lilt the bulk solid dissohjeq in the water samples are phenol, Ca, Al3+ and SO/-, concentration alllllyst found liOO, 48.5, 16.6 and 7.6 mol/dm3 respectively. These d.ata permit a .range on thb speculation of dissolve ore forming species in the stuqy aJ;'Cll. Acc.ordingly se~ortdary minerals such as diaspare, gibbsite, sapphire and corundum may be a~ul'\dant in these · locations. The geology bedrock dmwing from Port~Harcourt to (Gubio might be identical ge<.Jchemically

Atmospheric pollution in north-east Nigeria: measurement and analysis of suspended particulate matter

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentrations from Maiduguri and Yola areas of North-Eastern Nigeria were measured. Also determined were the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn in the SPM. Mean SPM levels were 28.3 µg/m3 (range, 1.3-144 µg/m3) and 13.6 µg/m3 (range, 1.1-52 µg/m3) for Maiduguri and Yola areas, respectively. These were markedly below the mean value of 98 µg/m3 reported for some selected cities in the world, and also showed pronounced differences from the annual average range of 150 µg/m3 reported by the WHO for polluted air. Enrichments of Cd, Cu and Zn in the air relative to the soil are attributable to few industrial activities the areas; that of Pb is due to vehicular emissions. Concentration of all the metals in the SPM fell within the range reported for contaminated air in Europe and North America

Human health risk assessment for aluminium, aluminium oxide, and aluminium hydroxide.

International audienc