The attainment of blood transfusion safety in Nigeria (and probably the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa) remains an uphill task due to a number of factors, ranging from shortage of blood, poor implementation of blood transfusion guidelines, infrastructural deficits to high prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs), particularly hepatitis and human immune deficiency viruses. We reviewed available data on blood transfusion practices and safety in Nigeria using the PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, and African Index Medicus search engines, through a combination of word and phrases relevant to the subject. The World Health Organization has been in the forefront of efforts to establish safe, available, and affordable blood transfusion services in most parts of Africa through encouraging adequate blood donor recruitment, donor blood testing, and collection as well developing strategies for the rational use of blood. Even though modest improvement has been recorded, particularly with regards to donor blood screening for common TTIs, considerable efforts are needed in the form of robust public enlightenment campaigns (on blood donation) and continuous system improvement to drive the current transfusion practices in the country toward safety and self-sustenance.

Lead, cadmium, nickel and other industrial metals used as part of paint varnishes have been reported to have adverse health implications. An evaluation study on some toxicological effects of occupational exposure to paint, among 25 occupationally exposed artisans and 25 students (control) of Ichi Technical College, Ichi Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out. Heavy metals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and standard assay procedures were employed for biochemical parameters. The biochemical indices used include serum electrolytes urea, creatinine, alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated and total bilirubin. Others include blood lead, serum cadmium and nickel. Our results showed that occupational exposure of humans to paints increased the blood lead (39 +/- 4 microg/dL), serum cadmium (13 +/- 1 microg/dL) and nickel (63 +/- 1 microg/dL), when compared with non-paint factory workers (PFW) lead (17 +/- 4 microg/dL), serum cadmium (9 +/- microg/dL) and nickel (25 +/- 44 microg/dL), significantly at P < 0.05 lower values were observed for serum sodium (138.96 +/- 0.58 mmol/L), bicarbonate (26.88 +/- 0.39 mmol/L), urea (3.15 +/- 0.13 mmol/L) and creatinine (80.48 +/- 1.04 micromol/L) for paints factory workers when compared with non-paint factory workers, sodium (139.84 +/- 0.62 mmol/L), bicarbonate (26.20 +/- 0.22 mmol/L), urea (3.44 +/- 0.11 mmol/L) and creatinine (80.40 +/- 1.55 micromol/L); at P > 0.05. The activities of AST (10.36 +/- 0.58 micro/L), ALT(8.76 +/- 0.47 micro/L) and ALP (47.12 +/- 3.33 micro/L) in PFW were slightly elevated compared with non-PFW. Our result indicates that occupational exposure of humans to heavy metals in paints may have long term deleterious effects on liver and renal functions. In conclusion, it should be noted that occupational exposure to cadmium or lead among PFW, may compromise the liver and renal functions in man.

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Background: Lead adversely affects a number of organ systems in the body; routine blood count evaluation is an important component of monitoring for organ related toxicity such as leukemia and aplastic anemia. Objective: To evaluate the influence of blood lead levels (BLL) on heamatological parameters among petrol station attendants (PSAs) and auto mobile mechanics (AMs) in Nnewi, Southeast Nigeria. Subjects and Methods: One hundred subjects (including 25 PSAs, 25 AMs and 50 normal controls) were prospectively recruited. Five mililiter of blood was collected for full blood count (FBC) and BLL, FBC was done using haematology auto-analyzer (SYSMEX PE 6800), while BLL was determined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS model: 240FSAA). Results were expressed as means ±SD, while associations between variable were explored using student t-test and analysis of variance. Regression analysis and correlation were used to establish possible link between lead parameters and hematological indices and personal life style habits. Ethical clearance was obtained from our institutional review board and all participants gave informed consent. Results: Blood lead and white blood cell count (WBC) were significantly higher in AMs compared with PSAs and controls (P values < 0.001), while haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit, mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and platelet count were significantly higher in controls, compared to PSAs and AMs (P values <0.001). The MCV and MCH were negatively correlated with BLL in PSAs (P=0.02, respectively) while the Hb, haematocrit, MCV, MCH, and MCHC were negatively correlated with BLL in AMs (P values all <0.05). Conclusion: Lead exposure adversely affects blood count and red cell indices in occupationally exposed groups in Nnewi, Southeast Nigeria.