Radiological and related chemical health impact assessments of uranium in pipe borne water from some waterworks in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

The common purifying technique of water for public (human) consumption in Nigeria is by chlorination which only eliminates the microbial contaminants, but the radioactive contaminants remain unaffected. There had been no serious radiological and related chemical health impact assessments of pipe borne water in the country. Water samples were collected from five waterworks across Lagos Metropolis and a single crystal NaI (Tl) detector was used to determine the activity concentration of 238U radionuclide in the water. The radiological health impact assessment determined includes annual effective dose rates and risk of incurring cancer. Using activity concentrations obtained and the relation from United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the chemical health impact such as life average daily dose (LADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) due to ingestion of 238U in water were determined and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean 238U activity concentrations were 15.3±4.1 Bql-1, 14.6±5.2 Bql-1, 9.7±2.0 Bql-1, 11.0±2.9 Bql-1 and 11.3±1.8 Bql-1 for Agege, Shomolu, Iju, Saka and Amuwo respectively. The least mean effective dose, 0.3±0.1 mSvy-1 was obtained in Iju while the highest, 0.5±0.2 mSvy-1 was obtained in Agege and Shomolu. The least mass concentration of 174.2±35.7μgl-1 was obtained in Iju and the highest of 274.9±73.3 μgl-1 was obtained in Agege. The highest mean cancer mortality and morbidity risks, (0.6±0.2) x10-3 and (0.9±0.2) x10-3 respectively were obtained in Agege. The activity concentrations of radionuclide in the water were low hence the morbidity and mortality risks in the study were low when compared to the world average value of 1.0x10-3. The result showed high radioactivity and chemical levels therefore caution and control should be taken to avoid any health crisis later in future.Keywords: uranium impact assessment, pipe born water, water works, Lagos metropolis, Nigeri

Corporate identity and social media: existence and extension of the organization

The arrival of social media has created a multitude of ways the organization can develop and disseminate its corporate identity. This study explores the relationship between social media and corporate identity by breaking social media use into five stages and discussing what each stage can reveal and add to our knowledge of corporate identity. A framework is provided that can aid scholars and practitioners in gaining a greater understanding of what social media can do for corporate identity. The main implications for researchers and managers/policy makers are highlighted

Social media communication strategies in fashion industry

This study quasi-replicates a previous work based on social communication strategies in the insurance sector, analyzing what happens in the Italian fashion industry. Our sample yields findings dissimilar to the earlier research and suggests new insights

Evidence of carbamate resistance in urban populations of <it>Anopheles gambiae s.s.</it> mosquitoes resistant to DDT and deltamethrin insecticides in Lagos, South-Western Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Resistance monitoring is essential in ensuring the success of insecticide based vector control programmes. This study was carried out to assess the susceptibility status of urban populations of <it>Anopheles gambiae</it> to carbamate insecticide being considered for vector control in mosquito populations previously reported to be resistant to DDT and permethrin.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two – three day old adult female <it>Anopheles</it> mosquitoes reared from larval collections in 11 study sites from Local Government Areas of Lagos were exposed to test papers impregnated with DDT 4%, deltamethrin 0.05% and propoxur 0.1% insecticides. Additional tests were carried out to determine the susceptibility status of the <it>Anopheles gambiae</it> population to bendiocarb insecticide. Members of the <it>A. gambiae complex</it>, the molecular forms, were identified by PCR assays. The involvement of metabolic enzymes in carbamate resistance was assessed using Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist assays. The presence of kdr-<it>w/e</it> and ace-1R point mutations responsible for DDT-pyrethroid and carbamate resistance mechanisms was also investigated by PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Propoxur resistance was found in 10 out of the 11 study sites. Resistance to three classes of insecticides was observed in five urban localities. Mortality rates in mosquitoes exposed to deltamethrin and propoxur did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05) but was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in populations exposed to DDT. All mosquitoes tested were identified as <it>A. gambiae s.s</it> (M form). The <it>kdr -w</it> point mutation at allelic frequencies between 45%-77% was identified as one of the resistant mechanisms responsible for DDT and pyrethroid resistance. <it>Ace-1R</it> point mutation was absent in the carbamate resistant population. However, the possible involvement of metabolic resistance was confirmed by synergistic assays conducted.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Evidence of carbamate resistance in <it>A. gambiae</it> populations already harbouring resistance to DDT and permethrin is a clear indication that calls for the implementation of insecticide resistance management strategies to combat the multiple resistance identified.</p