Potentially toxic metals in dust, blood, and hairs from exposed security dogs in an oil and gas industry

Environmental pollutants pose a health risk to animals and humans. We evaluated levels of some potentially toxic metals in environmental dust, blood, and hair samples of apparently healthy security dogs from a crude oil well drilling site (A) and liquefied natural gas production site (B) industrial environments in Nigeria. These samples were routinely digested and analyzed for lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, and zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometry assay. Mann‑Whitney U test was used to compare concentrations of the metals in different samples. Dust samples contained a high amount of the metals considered. There was no significant difference between levels of heavy metals in blood and hair samples from dogs guarding both sites, except for blood (p = 0.034) and hair (p = 0.015) chromium which were higher in those securing site A compared with site B. Higher nickel (p = 0.001) and zinc (p = 0.001) with lower chromium (p = 0.004) levels occurred in the hair samples than in the blood. Lead was not detected in blood and hair samples suggesting safety. There was no correlation between the same metal in blood and hair. Hair chromium and nickel levels were above the reference suggesting toxic exposure. There is a need for regular monitoring and decontamination of air pollutants within similar facilities for environmental safety.

Ameliorative properties of aqueous extract of Ficus thonningii on erythrocyte osmotic fragility induced by acetaminophen in Rattus norvegicus

In vitro antioxidant and erythrocyte protecting activities by aqueous extract of Ficus thonningii leaves on blood cells were studied in acetaminophen treated rats. The extract was safe at limit dose of 5000 mg kg(-1) body weight. The extract demonstrated dose dependent antihemolytic effect at dose levels between 50 and 200 mg kg(-1) body weight. The lowest antihemolytic effect was observed at dose level of 200 mg kg(-1) body given the lowest percentage hemolysis of 10.53 ± 1.76%, whereas the highest percentage hemolysis at dose level of 50 mg kg(-1) was 29.02 ± 7.45%. Hematology revealed erythrocytosis at dose levels of 100 and 200 mg kg(-1) body weight. Hyperglobinemia and lymphocytopenia were observed at dose levels of 100 mg kg(-1) and 200 mg kg(-1), respectively. The extract effectively showed scavenging activity on a stable oxidative radical diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and a significant ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity. The plausible erythrocyte membrane protective effect may be due to its free radical scavenging activity and hence the extract can be used to improve hematological parameters and ameliorate oxidative stress.

Acute toxicity studies of potassium permanganate in Swiss albino mice

Acute toxicity study of potassium permanganate was carried out in Swiss albino mice. Potassium permanganate was administered at dose rate of 0.0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 and 3500mg/kg body weight to groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, ten per group for LD50 determination. The dead animals were posted for gross lesions. A predetermined dose of 160mg/kg of the chemical was administered to experimental group of 12 mice, whereas control group of 12 mice received 16ml/kg body weight of distilled water for a period of 7 days. Grower's marsh and water were provided ad libitum. The animals were weighed daily before administration of potassium permanganate. On the eighth day 1ml of blood sample was collected from both control and experimental mice for haematology and plasma biochemistry into ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid bottles. The median lethal dose (LD50) was estimated at 1449.7mg/kg body weight. There was no significant difference between the mean weight of control and experimental group. Haematological and biochemical parameters of both control and experimental groups did not increase significantly though there was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in chloride ion level in plasma. Toxicity signs observed are rapid and shallow respiration, rough hair coat, dullness, diarrhoea, bloat, gastroenteritis, congestion of liver, paleness of lungs and hypochloraemia.