International Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology Research

11-23

Authors: Alani, Rose, Alo, Babajide and Ukoakonam, Friday

Intense pollution pressures are exerted on Ogun River, especially at Kara abattoir, by human activities. This river serves as a source of drinking water for the cattle waiting to be slaughtered. It is equally used for domestic activities by the residents along its bank. On daily basis, huge quantities of meat products are transported into Lagos and surrounding states for consumption from the Kara abattoir. The consumption of the meat products from the abattoir could pose a great health risk to all consumers. Uptake and accumulation of toxic heavy metals by aquatic organisms from water and sediment are possible. The physic-chemical parameters as well as the heavy metal contents of water and sediments from Ogun River at Kara were assessed. Sample digestion was carried out using concentrated nitric acid and the extracts analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The physic-chemical parameters revealed a high pollution of the river. Water analysis revealed that Cd (0.009 to 0.016mg/L), Cr (1.286mg/L), Fe (0.428 to 2.486mg/L) and Pb (0.109 to 0.109mg/L) exceeded WHO limits. Sediment analysis revealed that Cu (1.51 to 7.04mg/Kg), Zn (4.51 to 43.44mg/Kg), Fe (65.78mg/Kg) and Pb (15.12mg/Kg) exceeded FME limits. Keywords: Abattoir, Ogun River, Heavy metals, Physico-chemical parameters, Water, Sediment, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Risk assessment.

36-42

Authors: Ebiwari WOKEKORO, Mfrekemfon P. INYANG

Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State is one of the fastest growing urban centers in Nigeria. The result of this growth is the development of informal settlements along the water-fronts. These settlements lack amenities such as toilets, waste collection points, roads, and water supply. This paper aims at examining the health implications of households and human waste disposal systems in these neighbourhoods. Two informal settlements were studied namely; Marine Base Waterfront and Afikpo waterfront. The study utilized both secondary and primary data. Primary data was collected using the administration of a household questionnaire, to a probability sample of 192 respondents, drawn from the 2 neighbourhoods. Data analysis was based on responses from 191 questionnaires retrieved and the univariate analytical method was adopted. The study found, that human and household wastes are disposed on the roads, drains, and creeks, which create odour and water pollution problems. The study also revealed inadequacy of water supply in these neighbourhoods. The authors recommended that to improve health and environmental sanitation, adequate planning is necessary for the regular collection and disposal of waste in these neighbourhoods. This cannot be done by the government alones but public-private partnership should be encouraged to achieve this goal. Keywords: Waste disposal, waste collection, informal settlements, human waste, household waste, health.