Bioaccessibility and children health risk assessment of soil-laden heavy metals from school playground and public parks in Accra, Ghana.

Parks and playground soils constitute a critical matrix for children exposure to hazardous substances due to their high exposure rate. However, minimal investigation has been conducted in Ghana on the subject, thus the need for this research. One hundred and twenty (120) soil samples were collected between April 2015 and March 2016 and then analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The health risk posed to school children by the heavy metals laden in soil was assessed via oral bioaccessibility and hazard index. The oral bioaccessibility of the metals was estimated using the simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET) method. Iron (Fe) measured the highest range of total metal concentrations of 2785.0-15275.0 mg kg-1 followed by Pb of 2.1-284.0 mg kg-1. The oral bioaccessibility of the metals varied significantly with Pb and Cu exhibiting the highest mean values of 47.80% and 54.45%, respectively. The sequence for the mean bioaccessibility result does not correspond with the mean concentration of metals in the soil. The hazard index (HI) for most of the heavy metals indicated no potential non-carcinogenic health risk to children (HI < 1) except for Pb. The prolonged use of leaded fuel in Ghana prior to its outright ban on January 1 2004 and the persistence of Pb in soil media may account for its high risk. The deleterious health effects of Pb on children call for the adoption and implementation of appropriate environmental management of playgrounds so as to mitigate children's exposure to soil-laden heavy metals.

Assessing aflatoxin safety awareness among grain and cereal sellers in greater Accra region of Ghana: A machine learning approach.

Studies have established high prevalence of aflatoxin contamination in grains and cereals produced in Ghana. Mitigation strategies have focused mainly on capacity building for farmers, agricultural extension officers, bulk distributors and processors to the detriment of the market women who act as the final link between consumers and producers. This study used supervised machine learning algorithms by means of Classification and Regression Trees (CART) to investigate aflatoxin knowledge and awareness of market women in Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey and probability sampling methods were employed for data collection. Ninety-two (92%) of participants had never heard about aflatoxins and yet, 62% reported that they usually observe mould growth in their cereals/grains. Unsurprisingly, 97% of participants indicated that they had no knowledge of the aflatoxin bill passed by the government of Ghana parliament. Despite participants not being aware of aflatoxin menace, the percent correctness of their aflatoxin safety measure score was 40%. A regression tree algorithm showed that, participant's ethnic group was the most significant parameter to consider regarding their aflatoxin safety knowledge. Their educational background and age were 95.5% and 72.5% as significant as their ethnic group. A classification tree algorithm showed that, educational level was the most significant parameter to consider when it comes to sorting of grains/cereals. Their ethnic group and marital status were 92.4% and 89.3% as important as educational level. It is therefore imperative for the Ghana government to extend sensitization and awareness programs to these market women, targeting the uneducated and specific age and ethnic groups.