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Adebamowo, E.O., Agbede, O.A., Sridhar, M.K.C., and Adebamowo, C.A, Questionnaire survey of exposure to lead in the domestic environment in Nigeria. Science of the Total Environment, 372(1). 94-99. December 2006.

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Article

Blood Lead, Zinc and Calcium Levels, and Dietary Intake Habits among Petrol Station Attendants and Nomadic Cattle Rearers in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria


Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 2018, Vol. 6 No. 4, 165-173
DOI: 10.12691/jephh-6-4-6
Copyright © 2018 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Siddik Sulaiman Oba, Adejumo Mumuni, Sridhar Mynepalli Kameswara Chandra. Blood Lead, Zinc and Calcium Levels, and Dietary Intake Habits among Petrol Station Attendants and Nomadic Cattle Rearers in Ilorin, North Central Nigeria. Journal of Environment Pollution and Human Health. 2018; 6(4):165-173. doi: 10.12691/jephh-6-4-6.

Correspondence to: Adejumo  Mumuni, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Email: adejumo_mumuni@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study documents blood lead, zinc and calcium levels, and dietary intake habits among petrol station attendants and nomadic nomadic cattle rearers in Ilorin City, North Central Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional which involves both survey and laboratory analysis. Interviews were conducted among consented petrol station attendants (40) and Nomadic nomadic cattle rearers (29) using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Also blood samples were collected and analysed for blood lead, calcium and zinc levels using standard procedures. Data were analysed using t-test and Pearson's product moment correlation at p = 0.05. The mean age of petrol station attendants and the nomadic cattle rearers were 28.7±3.4 and 30.3±2.8 years respectively. More petrol station attendants (42.5%) than none (0.0%) of the nomadic cattle rearers had blood lead level above 10µg/dL. Calcium and Zinc were significantly higher among nomadic cattle rearers (21.40±1.83mg/L and 13.28±3.01µg/dL) compared to those of the Petrol station attendants (13.73±1.88mg/L and 3.13±0.68µg/dL). An inverse correlation existed between blood lead level of nomadic cattle rearers and their calcium (r =-0.531, p < 0.05), and zinc (r =-0.405, p < 0.05) levels. Major food consumed by the nomadic cattle rearers daily were “Fura/Nunu (Sorghum palp/fresh cow milk)” (72.4%) and “Tuwo (staple meal made from milled corn)” (41.2%) while petrol station attendants (47.5%) consumed meat daily. Blood lead was higher among petrol station attendants compared to nomadic cattle rearers. Calcium and Zinc levels were higher among the nomadic cattle rearers compared to petrol station attendants. However, Nomadic cattle rearers consumed foods that are rich in calcium and zinc compared to their petrol attendant counterparts. The study indicated that nature of diet has a mitigating effect on exposure to toxic chemicals like lead. Education and awareness creation on dietary choices of foods could reduce lead toxicity.

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