Assessment of Some Heavy Metals and Iron Parameters amongst Dumpsite Scavengers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the levels of some heavy metals, namely Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pd), and Iron (Fe) in waste scavengers in port-Harcourt, Nigeria Study Design:  This study is a cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, between March, 2019 and October, 2019. Methodology: A total of 170 subjects of ages between 16 to 43 years. Of this, 100 were dumpsite scavengers while 70 were apparently healthy control subjects. The subjects involved in this study gave their informed consent and had no history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and renal and hepatic disorders, and have been in scavenging activity for at least one year. Three milliliters (3ml) of blood was taken from each subject and put in plain bottles. The serum obtained was put in plain bottles and stored at -200C prior to analysis. The heavy metals were assayed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) while the hepatic parameters were assayed using Mindray Biochemistry auto analyzer (Model BS120, Shenzhen, China). Serum ferritin was assayed using enzyme immunoassay while serum transferrin was done using colorimetric method. Data obtained were analyzed using Student’s t test and Pearson’s correlation. Results: The body mass index (BMI) of the scavengers were significantly lower than that of the control subjects (p=.0001). The activities of the liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP were significantly higher in the scavengers compared to the control subjects (p=.0001). The levels of total proteins, albumin and globulin of the scavengers were significantly lower than those of the control subjects (p=.0001). The levels of serum iron, transferrin and ferritin were similarly lower in the scavengers compared to the control subjects (p=.0001). However, the levels of cadmium and lead were significantly higher in the scavengers compared to the control subjects (p=.0001). Conclusion: These findings indicate possible biochemical derangements in the scavengers due to their exposure to the hazards associated with the scavenging activity.