Assessment of Serum Trace Element Levels of Solid Waste Scavengers in Osogbo, South-Western, Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine whether altered serum trace element status is one of the occupational hazards associated with solid waste scavenging. Having obtained informed consent, 30 male solid waste scavengers (SWS) and 30 age-matched males which served as control group were recruited for the study. Trace elements were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry from serum obtained from 5mL of blood collected from each participant. Questionnaire was administered to obtain information on lifestyles; degree of contact with waste, sites of waste scavenging, types of scavenged waste and common ailments among SWS. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student’s t test, Chi square test, and Pearson’s correlation co-efficient. The level of significance was p≤0.05. While the levels of Zn (2.91±0.92 µmol/dL) and Cu (2.20±0.47 µmol/dL ) were significantly higher, the level of Fe (0.22±0.07 mg/L) was significantly lower in SWS compared to control (2.30±0.46; 1.73±0.47; 0.37±0.09) but Mn (11.00±0.20- SWS vs 9.00±0.04 nmol/L) was not significantly different in test and control groups. Frequency of health problems among SWS were backache (90%), headache (83%), joint pain (33%), and dizziness (20%). Results of the study suggest that solid waste scavenging is associated with various ailments as well as trace element alterations. The negative impacts of altered trace element metabolism on health are diverse.