Research & Reviews: Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
MenuISSN: 2347-7830
ISSN: 2347-7830
+44-7723-59-8358Ikechukwu N. Onwurah
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
ScientificTracks Abstracts: Res. Rev. J Ecol. Environ. Sci
Statement of the Problem: The increasing level of air pollution from air-borne black soot particles in Port Harcourt metropolis in the past 4 years with very obvious deposits in residential homes and water bodies/ponds has become a great concern especially for children who indulge in recreational pools’ activities. Researchers have shown that the soot deposits contain metals ions and hydrocarbons. This study was carried out as a preliminary health risk assessment for children who utilise swimming pools for recreational activities in Port Harcourt. This involved evaluation of the toxicity of selected recreational pools using “Ostracods-linked mathematical model”, (a quantitative whole-water toxicity assay), protein oxidation and hepatotoxicity in the rats’ hepatocytes and questionnaire-based analysis. Five (5) recreational pools (4 outdoor and 1 indoor) were used out of the randomly selected 8, from 30 identified in Port Harcourt. Structured questionnaires were also used to elicit relevant information from children (10-13 years) who consistently engaged in recreational pool activities. Results show that 3 of the 5 recreational pools have significantly high percent mortality effect on Ostracods Heterocypris incongruens, the indicator organism. The toxicity indices of the pool waters showed “no-observed effect toxicity” for the indoor pool (SP 4), 20.8 for 1 outdoor pool (SP 1), 42.5 for 2 outdoor pools (SP 2 and 3) and 49.0 for 1 outdoor pool (SP 5). Out of 79 children who are frequent users of the 5 selected pools, 26 (32.91%) were traced. Analysis of the structured questionnaires administered to these 26 children and their parents inferred that none of the children has or had any of the recreational water illnesses such as gastrointestinal disorder, skin rashes and acute respiratory disease, suggesting zero or insignificant bacterial contamination of the pools. However protein oxidation in rats and hepatotoxicity of rats’ hepatocytes incubated with portions of pool water samples suggest that the exposed children may not be cancer-risk free in future especially if the prevailing black soot particles pollution continues unabated while the children still indulge in the use of these pools. It is recommended that further monitoring of the exposed children be continued while measures such as more frequent changes of the pool water be ensured or to prevent further use of pools while the particulate soot-matter air pollution persists.
Ikechukwu N. E. Onwurah, (PhD) a Professor of Biochemistry is vastly knowledgeable in Environmental Toxicology/Biotechnology. He consults for some NGOs such as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), State Ministries of Environment, etc. He has published several papers in many International Journals and also authored some books, one of them Perspective of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology (reviewed in SETAC Globe, (12) 2002. He has the following certificated Professional Training courses: Modelling human and ecosystems exposures and impacts for life-cycle assessment; the USEtox Model (Germany); beyond ecological risk assessment; fully integrated assessment (Canada); the endocrine system; Global perspectives on testing methods and evaluation of endocrine activity (USA). He is a Fellow (F.Env), of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation and one time President, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry - Africa.