Studies on the Intestinal Helminths Infestation among Primary School Children in Gwagwada, Kaduna, North Western Nigeria

A study on prevalence of intestinal helminthes among primary school children was carried out in Gwagwada, Kaduna, North-western Nigeria. Out of the 283 school children examined for infection, 190 (67.1%) were found to be positive. The prevalence of intestinal helminthes found were Ascaris lumbricoides (30.7%), Taenia spp (23.0%), Schistosoma mansoni (11.7%), Hookworm (6.4%), Trichuris trichiura (4.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (4.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.2) and Hymenolepis nana (3.9%). There was no significant association between helminthes infection and sex (p>0.05). There was no significant association between prevalence and the habits of washing hands after using the toilet and the washing of fruits and vegetables before eating ((95% C.I. < 1.0). S. mansoni infection had significant association the use of streams as source of drinking water (95% C.I. > 1.0). Ascaris lumbricoides has very high prevalence among primary school children. Sex has no association with infection of helminthes. Keywords -Intestinal helminthes, school children, prevalence, Gwagwada Nigeria

Heavy Metal Concentrations around a Hospital Incinerator and a Municipal Dumpsite in Ibadan City, South-West Nigeria

Studies to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and bottom ash of a hospital incinerator and a municipal dumpsite were carried out in Ibadan City, South-West Nigeria from November 2010 to January 2011. Samples were analyzed for Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA, Students T-test and Pearson correlation. Mean concentrations of heavy metals in the sampled soils at the incinerator were 185.22\ub172.88, 16.22\ub113.13, 69.11\ub154.26, 2.33\ub12.53, 22.48\ub121.00 and 0.58\ub10.30 for Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively, mean concentrations in the incinerator bottom ash were 5357.52\ub14671.89mg/Kg, 938.2\ub1428.42mg/kg, 10670\ub13852.44mg/kg, 72.96\ub115.14mg/kg, 427.2\ub1197.69mg/kg and 34.78\ub111.69mg/kg for Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively and mean concentrations in sampled soils of municipal dumpsite were 290.67\ub178.66mg/Kg, 7.86\ub11.68mg/kg, 132.87\ub139.40mg/kg, 2.58\ub11.48mg/kg, 14.52\ub16.76mg/kg and 0.79\ub10.26mg/kg for Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively. ANOVA showed that Fe (F = 11.254), Cu (F = 5.678), Zn (F = 20.399) and Pb (F = 3.679) had significant variations with sampling site, with bottom ash having the highest concentrations. The concentrations of heavy metals from both locations were higher than in the control site, indicating pollution. The heavy metal contents of the soils analyzed were all below the USEPA standard limits. However, the bottom ash contained high levels of Zn and Pb, that exceeded the standard limits. There is a need to appropriately dispose off the bottom ash from incinerators

Heavy Metal Concentrations around a Hospital Incinerator and a Municipal Dumpsite in Ibadan City, South-West Nigeria

Studies to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in the surrounding soils and bottom ash of a hospital incinerator and a municipal dumpsite were carried out in Ibadan City, South-West Nigeria from November 2010 to January 2011. Samples were analyzed for Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA, Students T-test and Pearson correlation. Mean concentrations of heavy metals in the sampled soils at the incinerator were 185.22±72.88, 16.22±13.13, 69.11±54.26, 2.33±2.53, 22.48±21.00 and 0.58±0.30 for Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively, mean concentrations in the incinerator bottom ash were 5357.52±4671.89mg/Kg, 938.2±428.42mg/kg, 10670±3852.44mg/kg, 72.96±15.14mg/kg, 427.2±197.69mg/kg and 34.78±11.69mg/kg for Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively and mean concentrations in sampled soils of municipal dumpsite were 290.67±78.66mg/Kg, 7.86±1.68mg/kg, 132.87±39.40mg/kg, 2.58±1.48mg/kg, 14.52±6.76mg/kg and 0.79±0.26mg/kg for Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni respectively. ANOVA showed that Fe (F = 11.254), Cu (F = 5.678), Zn (F = 20.399) and Pb (F = 3.679) had significant variations with sampling site, with bottom ash having the highest concentrations. The concentrations of heavy metals from both locations were higher than in the control site, indicating pollution. The heavy metal contents of the soils analyzed were all below the USEPA standard limits. However, the bottom ash contained high levels of Zn and Pb, that exceeded the standard limits. There is a need to appropriately dispose off the bottom ash from incinerators

Evaluation of chemical constituents in aqueous wood ash extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Parkia biglobosa (locust bean)

ABSTRACT The use of wood ash extracts as food additives and for medicinal purposes by Gbagyi people and other ethnic groups in the Middle-Belt Region of Nigeria, with dearth of information on its chemical constituents has remained a traditional practice. There is scarcity of information on the inorganic and organic composition and toxicity potentials of aqueous wood-ash extracts. This study reported the phytochemical parameters, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in aqueous wood ashes extracts of Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa. The local method of ash extraction by Gbagyi people was used, using water and phytochemicals, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) screened and analysed by methods described by Citation: Auta T, Otalu EJ, Hassan AT (2015). Evaluation of chemical constituents in aqueous wood ash extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Parkia biglobosa (locust bean)

Evaluation of chemical constituents in aqueous wood ash extracts of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Parkia biglobosa (locust bean)

The use of wood ash extracts as food additives and for medicinal purposes by Gbagyi people and other ethnic groups in the Middle-Belt Region of Nigeria, with dearth of information on its chemical constituents has remained a traditional practice. There is scarcity of information on the inorganic and organic composition and toxicity potentials of aqueous wood-ash extracts. This study reported the phytochemical parameters, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present in aqueous wood ashes extracts of Azadirachta indica and Parkia biglobosa. The local method of ash extraction by Gbagyi people was used, using water and phytochemicals, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) screened and analysed by methods described by Eleazu et al. (2012), Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and Gas Chromatography respectively. Alkaloids, Cardenolides, Cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates and terpenoid were present in both extracts, while saponins, tannins, sterols, quinones and amino acids were only present in P. biglobosa. Heavy metals; Cu (83.53 and 91.64), Pb (21.68 and 24.19), As (8.96 and 6.77), Cd (1.95 and 1.64), Zn (88.91 and 72.74), Ni (9.91 and 7.467) and Co (2.73 and 2.13) ppm were present in A. indica and P. biglobosa respectively, above standard limits. PAHS concentrations were so high in both extracts. An aqueous wood ash extracts of A. indica and P. biglobosa content toxic chemicals that could have deleterious effects on body organs or tissues and can compromise human health