ABSTRACT
Studies have reported deleterious effect of landfill leachate and their surrounding water sources around the world. None has been reported on the Port Harcourt (Eliozu) landfill. This therefore necessitates this study that evaluated the hepatotoxiceffects of Port Harcourt (Eliozu) landfill in wistar rats. 25 wistar rats were grouped into five of five rats each. Group 1 served as the control and received 1ml of commercial non-carbonated bottled water; Group 2 served as negative control and received 1ml of water obtained from borehole about 1km from the landfill; while Groups 3,4 and 5 received 1ml of 10% of leachate concentration, 1ml of 50% of leachate concentration and 1ml of 100% of leachate concentration respectivelyonce daily for90 days. After the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and 5ml of blood was collected via cardiac puncture. The blood samples were prepared and used for the determination of serum concentrations of liver enzymes. The rats were also dissected and the liver harvested for histochemical analysis using the periodic acidSchiff stain. Result showedthe serum concentrations liver enzymes significantly increased in the rats exposed to the leachate and water from a nearby borehole. Also histochemistry examination showed a marked distortion of the hepatic cells and cirrhotic changein the test groups compared to control. This study therefore concludes that exposure to Port Harcourt Eliozu landfill leachate (PELL) may cause significant hepatotoxicity in rats