Assessment of Cadmium, Lead and Mercury Levels on Petrol Attendants and Welders in Obio-Akpor and Phalga in Rivers State
Journal Title: International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 11
Abstract
Introduction: Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements with the characteristics features of a high atomic weight, density up to 5 times greater than that of water or even more, toxic or poisonous even at low concentration and/or exist as elemental metal and methyl metal. Study aimed at assessing the blood concentrations of these environmental toxins in the chosen study group. Material and methods: Cadmium, Lead and Mercury levels were assessed on blood sample of (25) Petrol Attendants and (25) welders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A corresponding twenty (20) apparently health subjects were used as controls. Blood samples were collected and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Graph pad prism version 5.03 was used for comparative analysis and test of significance was at p<0.05. Results: For cadmium, comparative analysis of control/Petrol Attendants, results showed a significant increase (p<0.05) for those exposed to petrol vapour. Comparative analysis of control/welders showed no significant change (p<0.05). Also comparative analysis of Petrol attendants/welders result showed no significant difference at (p<0.05). And analysis of control/petrol attendants/welders was also significantly higher (p<0.05) against the control. Lead result analysis also revealed statistical significance (p<0.05) higher in welders, petrol attendants compared to control while the result of mercury levels showed no significant difference between the test subjects and the controls. Conclusion: The results therefore showed that exposure to petrol vapour have the potential to increase the level of metals in the body. This could pose a threat to the overall health of the individual. These effects, from the study, are connected to the duration of exposure. Precaution is therefore needed when in contact with these compounds.
Authors and Affiliations
Ben-Chioma Adline E, Nwachuku Edna O
Keywords
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