Polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans in imported canned fish in Nigeria and risk assessment.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) were measured in imported canned fish such as mackerel, sardine and tuna to evaluate the risk relating to human consumption of these products. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to evaluate the concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the samples. The ∑28 PCB concentrations in the canned mackerel, tuna and sardine ranged from 0.33 to 9.48 ng g -1,

Distribution and Sources of n-Alkanes and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments Around Oil Production Facilities in the Escravos River Basin, Niger Delta, Nigeria.

This study provides data on the characteristic levels, spatial patterns, sources, and risk of n-alkanes (AHs) [octane, n-C8, to tetracontane, n-C40] and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surficial sediments from the Escravos River Basin (ERB), Nigeria. The n-alkane and PAH concentrations in sediments were quantified by chromatographic methods. The concentrations of AHs and PAHs in the ERB sediments varied from 95 to 3430 µg g-1 and from 0.75 to 213 µg g-1, respectively. Both the concentrations of AHs and PAHs in ERB sediments exceeded their respective guideline values. The carbon preference index and other AH markers provide evidence that the AHs in the ERB sediments originated from petroleum sources. Ecological risk assessment indicated that the ecological risk relating to an organism's contact with PAHs in the ERB sediments was high. The possible carcinogenic risk arising from human exposure with PAHs in surface sediments through accidental oral ingestion and skin contact exceeded the safe level of 10-6, indicating a considerable probable cancer risk for fishermen and other inhabitants of the ERB. PAH isomer ratios and multivariate statistics suggested that the PAHs in sediments from the ERB originated from gas flaring inputs, discharges from oil drilling platforms, diesel engines, ships, and speed boats, and combustion of wood and other biomass.

Community integration, self-esteem, and perceived stigma in a Nigerian sample with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to investigate the levels, interrelationships, and associated factors of community integration (CI), perceived stigma (PS), and self-esteem in people living with epilepsy (PWE) in Anambra and Enugu States of south-east Nigeria. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 70 consenting adults living with epilepsy consecutively recruited from three purposively sampled specialized clinics in Anambra State. The Reintegration to Normal Living Index, the Epilepsy Stigma Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used to estimate CI, PS, and self-esteem, respectively among the participants. Data were analyzed at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants (28.6% females) was 34.91 ±â€¯16.21 years. The participants had moderate PS score (43.54 ±â€¯14.20), poor self-esteem score (17.63 ±â€¯6.12), and mild-to-moderately restricted CI score (67.83 ±â€¯24.72). Participants' PS, CI, and self-esteem significantly correlated with one another (p < 0.05) with PS and self-esteem being significant predictors of CI. Participants' PS had a significant correlation with their age at onset of epilepsy, while their self-esteem and CI significantly correlated with their seizure episodes (p < 0.05). Participants' PS and CI were significantly different across different categories of their occupational and educational statuses. Perceived stigma also varied across participants' marital status with divorced participants having the worst score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: People living with epilepsy had moderate PS, poor self-esteem, and mild-to-moderate CI, which correlated significantly with one another. Results suggest the possibility of using CI as an outcome for assessing the effectiveness of stigma and self-esteem interventions during epilepsy rehabilitation.

Characterization of metals in indoor dusts from electronic workshops, cybercafés and offices in southern Nigeria: Implications for on-site human exposure.

The levels of Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, Ba, Mn, Zn, Al and Fe were evaluated in indoor dusts from electronic workshops, cybercafés and offices in southern Nigeria. The study was aimed at providing information on the distribution patterns, and the associated risks that may arise from exposure of humans to these metals in indoor dusts from the three work environments. The dust samples were digested with aqua-regia and analyzed for the metal concentrations by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The metal concentrations (mg kg-1) in the indoor dusts from these work environments ranged from 0.2 to 20.5 Cd, 0.6-4810 Pb, 8.65-2210 Cr, 1.85-209 Ni, 6.75-2820 Cu, 0.25-19.6 Co, 22.7-597 Mn, 6.65-140 Ba, 43.3-7310 Zn, 1040-16,800 Al and 969-78,300 Fe. The metal distribution patterns in these dust samples followed the order: electronic workshops > cybercafés > offices. The concentrations of Cd, Pb and Cu in significant proportions of the dust samples from the electronic workshops and cybercafés surpassed their respective permissible limits in soils. The health risk assessment suggests considerable non-cancer risks arising from childhood contact with Pb in dust from the electronic workshops while no considerable non-cancer risk is associated with the adult and child exposure to dust from the cybercafés and offices. The results indicated that Cr and Pb are the main elements responsible for the non-carcinogenic risk arising from childhood exposure to electronic workshop dusts. The carcinogenic risk due to exposure of humans to metals in these dust samples were within the range regarded as safe by the USEPA.

Community integration of people living with epilepsy in a Nigerian population.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a chronic seizure disorder that affects numerous people worldwide. Community integration (CI) is the ultimate goal of rehabilitation of any chronic condition. There seems to be a dearth of research on CI among people living with epilepsy (PLWE). AIM: The present study was designed to investigate on the level of satisfaction with CI and its associated factors in a Nigerian PLWE. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional survey of 70 adult PLWE (28.6% females; mean age=34.91±16.21years) consecutively recruited from three purposively selected specialized clinics in Anambra State of South-eastern Nigeria. The Reintegration to Normal Living Index was used to assess the level of satisfaction with CI among the participants. Data was analysed using Spearman Rank Order Correlation, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: The total level of satisfaction with CI among PLWE was poor (59.76±23.24). PLWE were severely restricted in nine out of the fourteen CI scores but were mildly or moderately restricted in the remaining five CI scores. The participants' total level of satisfaction with CI significantly correlated with their annual (r=-0.319; p=0.007), six-month (r=-0.275; p=0.021) and one-month (r=-0.221; p=0.025) episodes of seizures, and was significantly influenced by their occupational status (k=12.15; p=0.009) and highest educational attainment (k=12.39; p=0.006). CONCLUSION: Generally, the total level of satisfaction with CI among PLWE was poor. There is need for interventional programmes aimed at integrating PLWE into their various communities with special emphasis laid on unemployed and less educated ones having high seizure frequency.

Concentrations and exposure risks of some metals in facial cosmetics in Nigeria.

The concentrations of nine metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were determined in lip sticks, lip glosses, lip balms, eye pencils, eyeliners, eye shadows, blushes, mascaras and face powders. The study was aimed at providing information on the risk associated with human exposure to metals in these facial cosmetic products. The concentrations of metals in the samples were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion with a mixture of nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The mean concentrations of metals in these facial cosmetics ranged from 3.1 to 8.4 µg g-1 Cd, 12-240 µg g-1 Pb, 9.1-44 µg g-1 Cr, 18-288 µg g-1 Ni, 1.6-80 µg g-1 Cu, 7.9-17 µg g-1 Co, 2.3-28 mg g-1 Fe, 12-230 µg g-1 Mn, and from 18 to 320 µg g-1 Zn. The concentrations of Ni, Cr and Co were above the suggested safe limit of 1 µg g-1 for skin protection, while Cd and Pb were above the Canadian specified limits. The systemic exposure dosage (SED) values for these metals obtained from the use of these facial cosmetic products were below their respective provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI)/or recommended daily intake (RDI) values. The margin of safety values obtained were greater than 100 which indicated that the concentrations of the metals investigated in these facial cosmetics do not present considerable risk to the users except in the case of face powders.

Evaluation of human exposure to metals from some commonly used hair care products in Nigeria.

The concentrations of nine metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), were determined in 26 brands of hair care products including hair relaxers, conditioners and shampoos. The study was aimed at providing information on the possible risks arising from heavy metals associated with the use of these products. The concentrations of the metals were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry after digestion of the samples with a mixture of acids. The concentrations of the respective metals in hair relaxers, shampoos and conditioners were found to be 0.8-2.5, 0.6-3.0,

Safety evaluation of metal exposure from commonly used moisturizing and skin-lightening creams in Nigeria.

The concentrations of ten metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Zn and Al) were measured in some commonly used moisturizing and skin-lightening creams in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the risk of exposure to metals from the use of these products. The metal concentrations in these products were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion of the samples. The measured concentrations of metals in the skin moisturizing creams ranged from <0.15 to 6.3 µg/g Cd, <0.02 to 17.5 µg/g Cu, 2.25 to 6.25 µg/g Cr, <0.25 to 124.3 µg/g Al, 0.2 to 7.3 µg/g Pb, <0.03 to 10.7 µg/g Ni, 17.3 to 372.0 µg/g Zn, <0.02 to 1.0 µg/g Co, 17.75 to 28.8 µg/g Mn, <0.1 to 89.8 µg/g Fe while the concentrations of metals in the skin-lightening products ranged from <0.15 to 16.5 µg/g Cd, <0.02 to 10.0 µg/g Cu, 4.25 to 8.0 µg/g Cr, <0.25 to 128.0 µg/g Al, 0.5 to 4.5 µg/g Pb, <0.03 to 1.65 µg/g Ni, 24.7 to 267.5 µg/g Zn, <0.02 to 2.5 µg/g for Co, 19.3 to 31.8 µg/g Mn, 9.5 to 211.63 µg/g Fe. In a significant number (>93%) of the samples investigated the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and Co were below the specified limit, or the maximal limit for impurities in colour additives in cosmetics for external use. However, Cr was found at concentrations above the allergenic limit of 1 µg/g. The results also showed that skin-lightening creams contained higher concentrations of the studied metals than the moisturizing creams, except for Ni, which indicates that persons who uses skin-lightening creams in preference to moisturizing ones, are exposed to higher concentrations of metals.