Soot in Rivers State and Haematological Insults

Abstract

Soot is known as unwanted by-products gotten from incomplete burning of materials that contain carbon. Soot is also known as black carbon (BC) or carbon blacks (CBs). It is capable of causing many health issues in both humans and animals. When illegal refining and burning activities are carried out, the end product is usually the production of soots. Cases of soot emissions rising in developing countries.  It is one cause of diseases in the human population; these diseases include respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and sometimes reproductive system abnormality. Rivers State is a highly populated State with lots of companies carrying out one form of refining and exploration or another. Two factors are responsible for the rising increase of soot in Rivers State, the burning of illegal petroleum product by security agencies and the operation of unlawful illegal refineries carried out from the creeks and surroundings of some local communities and Port Harcourt, the State headquarters. The aim of this review was to assess the effects soot has on the haematological parameters of individuals living in Rivers State. Soot has been shown by several studies to cause some deviation in the haematological parameters such as decrease in the PCV, Hb and RBC. However, it also brings about an increase in the total white blood cell count, neutrophils and lymphocytes. This review provides information on the haematological insults associated with soot exposure in Rivers State.