ABSTRACT
As adverse effects and health implications of human exposures to petroleum products (crude oil) remains an issue of public concern, interests on the different adverse effects on various body system has grown in recent years. Current study investigated the duration and age dependent effect of exposure of the cardiovascular system (CVS) to gas flaring and crude oil contamination in selected communities of Delta State, southern Nigeria. Two Hundred and Forty (240) subjects, who were exposed to gas flaring and crude oil contamination were ethically recruited from Agbarho [Ughelli North Local government Area (LGA)] and Bomadi (Bomadi LGA) in Delta State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty (120) non-exposed individuals were also recruited (control) from Abraka, a non-gas flaring community in Ethiope East LGA of the same state. Thereafter, subjects were matched by gender, age, and duration of stay (exposure) to gas flaring and oil contamination in selected towns. In any case, cardiovascular parameters [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] were measured, while obtaining their pulse and mean arterial pressures (PP and MAP respectively) from measured variables. After statistical analysis (using the student t-test), study observed (at p < .05) a statistically significant increase in SBP and MAP for subjects above 10 years and 6 – 10 years of gas flaring exposure (Experimental groups) compared to those who had been exposed for just 1 – 5 years (Control). Study also observed a statistically significant increase in SBP and DBP (of females) for crude contamination exposed subjects for ages greater than 5 years compared to control. A duration-dependent exposure of subjects to increased SBP and DBP, following exposure to gas flaring and crude oil contamination was thus established. Apparently, exposed males showed an increase in average values of PP, MAP, SBP and DBP than the female counterparts. Study therefore ascertained findings from previous studies relating to cardiovascular changes on gas flaring and crude oil exposed humans; confirming gas flaring and oil contamination as potent elicitors of hypertension. Thus, environmental pollutants may act as markers for the screening and identification of CVS high-risk population, prior to actual diagnosis, intervention and prognosis of hypertension. We recommend periodic epidemiological assessment of environmental pollutants as a factor for indexing municipal risk of hypertensive individuals.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of gas flare on cardiopulmonary parameters in some states of the Niger Delta. The study aimed to determine the impact of gas flare on blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, peak expiratory flow rate and associated changes of these parameters with duration of exposure to gas flare. Two communities (a test and a control) were studied in five states in the Niger Delta - Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Delta. The study adopted the direct administration of questionnaire, observation, recording and free medical checkup methods. The stratified random sampling method was used. The sample size was 1008 participants (504 in gas flaring communities and 504 in non-gas flaring communities). The electronic blood pressure kit was used to measure blood pressure and pulse rate of participants. Respiratory rate of participants was manually recorded while the peak flow meter was used to measure the peak expiratory flow rate of participants. The questionnaire was directly administered to obtain vital information from participants. Data generated were expressed as mean ± SD. A significant difference between the means was determined by student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). A level of p≤0.05 was accepted as significant. Findings showed that gas flare increases mean blood pressure (GFC-184.96±24.07, NGFC- 123.00±2.96), pulse rate (GFC-100.37±3.79, NGFC-78.09±4.68) and respiratory rate (GFC-33.63±0.80, NGFC-23.83±0.82) of residents in gas flaring communities. There was a decrease in mean peak expiratory flow rate (GFC-272.78±16.79, NGFC-460.83±6.53) of residents in gas flaring communities. Findings also showed that these cardiopulmonary parameters increases with longer duration of exposure (blood pressure >10 years -125.10±7.47, 1-5 years -117.25±3.81, pulse rate >10years-91.84±1.77, 1-5 years- 85.16±5.14 and respiratory rate-26.64±2.08, 1-5 years 24.00±1.51), except peak expiratory flow rate that decreases with duration of exposure (>10 years 301±88, 1-5 years 313.87±35.64).
ABSTRACT
Aims: The effect of petroleum exploration and exploitation activities on the phytochemical and nutritional composition of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) and Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterranean) harvested from polluted and unpolluted environment were studied. Study Design: Plant samples were collected from Izombe, an environment highly polluted by gas flaring and Eziobodo, an environment not known for gas flare exposures. Both locations are within the (Niger-Delta) rain forest region of Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: The processed samples were subjected to proximate and phytochemical screening. The vitamins, micro and macro minerals contents were determined using standard biochemical methods and equipment. Results: Some of the phytochemicals and nutritional contents showed varying levels of significant difference (P<0.05) in samples from the two localities. Bambara groundnuts from polluted area was significantly lower (P<0.05) in moisture, ash, protein and carbohydrate when compared to samples from unpolluted environment. The concentrations of antinutrients such as oxalate, phytate, tannin and cyanogenic glycoside were significantly higher (P<0.05) in samples from polluted areas when compared to samples from unpolluted areas. The results showed increased accumulation of microminerals and reduced macrominerals in samples from polluted environment. Riboflavin, vitamins A, C and E were also significantly higher (P<0.05) in samples obtained from unpolluted environment. Conclusion: Data obtained revealed that T. africana and V. subterranean are highly nutritious and their nutrient composition are responsive to pollution due to gas flaring.