The levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in individuals occupationally exposed to municipal solid waste in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Abstract

Airway inflammation and related respiratory complaints are common symptoms among waste management workers (WMWs). This study investigated the relationship between exposure to municipal solid waste (MSW) and the levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress among WMW of Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A total of 280 subjects consisting of 180 WMW and 100 controls were recruited. Ten millilitres of blood were collected from antecubital vein of the subjects for analysis. Results reveal that exposure to MSW is associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Significant (p < 0.001) elevation of ceruloplasmin (Cp) and C-reactive protein was associated with marked decreases in superoxide dismutase (p < 0.01), catalase (p < 0.001), and glutathione (p < 0.05) and significant (p < 0.001) increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) and uric acid when compared with control. Haematological disorders include significant (p < 0.05) decreases in haemoglobin, packed cell volume, and mean corpuscular volume and significant (p < 0.01) increase in total leucocyte count. Apart from decreased albumin (p < 0.05) and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05) activity observed in WMW, other markers of hepatic (alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol and triglycerides) and renal (urea and creatinine) functions did not change significantly (p > 0.05) when compared with the control. A positive correlation between leucocytes (r = 0.195, p < 0.01), Cp (r = 0.210, p < 0.01) and job duration and between Cp and MDA (r = 0.200, p < 0.01) and Cp and leucocytes (r = 0.260, p < 0.001) were observed in WMW. Overall, exposure to MSW predisposes to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress and Cp may be a useful biomarker for monitoring health status of Nigerian WMWs.

Possible role of plasma ceruloplasmin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in assessing compliance with occupational hygiene and safety practices in waste management workers

“…[210121642] We identified some important systemic inflammatory markers as useful biomonitors of health and safety of WMWs of Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, in our recent study. [19] In the present investigation, we evaluated the possibility of using these systemic inflammatory indices as predictors and bioindicators of compliance of WMWs with safety practices with particular reference to those in the CPs and TUs categories.…”

“…The subjects were selected by purposive sampling from three private waste management companies in Sagamu, southwest of Nigeria, in line with previous studies. [19282930] Both categories of waste workers function under private facilities with informal operations, work eight hours daily and for six days every week. The TUs received informal training before commencement of work, whereas the CPs had no such training.…”

“…[216171819] In Nigeria, there is a rise in the number of people involved in disposal of solid waste as a means of livelihood because of the recently introduced Private Partnership Scheme (PPS) in waste management by various state governments and predominantly driven by an informal sector of the nation's economy. The informal waste management sector, therefore, provides one of the best income-generation opportunities for many unskilled laborers and utilizes low-scale, inexpensive technologies.…”

“…Studies have demonstrated that waste collectors in Nigeria suffer from health consequences of their occupation. [1921222324] These waste workers are so economically tied to the occupation in a bid to make a living that they are often unaware of the dangers and occupational hazards they face on a daily basis. [1625] Little attention has been paid to compliance with health and safety measures among waste workers in most developing countries despite the fact that knowledge about the level of compliance is a necessary requirement and a vital starting point for health and safety campaigns.…”

Prevalence of Accident at Work among garbage collectors in Asunción, Paraguay. 2013-2014

“…Las investigaciones realizadas hasta ahora se centraron en la medición de diversos marcadores de inflamación y estrés oxidativo, tales como la ceruloplasmina, catalasa, glutatión, ácido úrico (6).…”