Toxicological Studies on Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation and Oxidative DNA Damage in Residents of a Gas Flaring Community

Abstract

This study was carried out on blood samples collected from 200 residents each from Imiringi (Gas Flaring Community) and Odi (Non-Gas Flaring Community) all in Bayelsa State, Nigeria to determine the blood levels of Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury and Selenium as well as the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-Hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Blood samples were also analyzed for WBC, Hb, platelets, prothrombin time and serum concentrations of AST, ALT, albumin, ALP, bilirubin, gamma GT, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine. Residents in Imiringi recorded the highest blood levels of Mercury, Lead, Selenium, Cadmium, Chromium and 8-OHdG and they were all statistically significantly different at p<0.05. Residents in Imiringi had the highest mean values of all the measured liver and kidney functions parameters with the exception of albumin, total protein, sodium, chloride and bicarbonate and these values were all statistically different at P<0.05. There was statistically significant difference in the levels of Hb, WBC and Platelet while the length of bleeding time was 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 oxidative stress might be higher among residents in the gas flaring community.