Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation and Lipid Peroxidation Damage in Residents of a Gas Flaring Community

Abstract

In this study, blood samples collected from 200 residents each from Imiringi (Gas Flaring Community) and Odi (Non-Gas Flaring Community) all in Bayelsa State, Nigeria was analyzed to determine the levels of Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury, Selenium and also the lipid peroxidation oxidative stress marker- 8-Iso-Prostagladin F2α (8-Iso-PGF2α). Blood samples were equally analyzed for Hb, WBC, platelets, prothrombin time and serum concentrations of AST, ALT, albumin, ALP, bilirubin, gamma GT, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine. Significantly higher levels of Cadmium, Chromium Mercury, Lead, Selenium and 8-Iso-PGF2α were observed in residents from Imiringi (P<0.05). Imiringi residents also had the highest mean values of all the measured liver and kidney functions parameters excluding albumin, total protein, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate and these values were all statistically different at P<0.05. Differences in blood levels of Hb, WBC and Platelets were equally significant while the length of bleeding time was significantly prolonged in the residents of Imiringi community. The findings of this study suggest that the probability of occurrence of diseases associated with metal toxicity and lipid peroxidation damage might be higher among residents in the gas flaring community.