Title: Heavy metal bioaccumulation, urinary microalbumin and some haematological variables among artisans in Jos, plateau state Nigeria.

Biography:

Bot Yakubu Sunday is a Chief Lecturer and immediate past Head of Department Chemical Pathology and Acting Deputy Provost Administration, Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science(FSMLT), jos. He completed his PhD at the age of 45 years from Imo State University, Nigeria. He has been a visiting professional examiner at the University of Jos, Nigeria since 2015. He has published several scientific articles in journals and books. He lectures Chemical Pathology to both under graduate and graduate students at FSMLT. With several years of bench work to his credit, Dr. Bot is a member of many professional bodies which include: Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Chemists of Nigeria, Nigeria Society of Chemical Pathology Scientists in Nigeria, and Nigeria Society for Infectious Diseases. His research interest is in: FORENSIC, ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS.

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to some materials used by artisans has been reported to be harmful to health. However, there is a lack of information regarding their associations with functional biomarkers among artisans in Jos. To establish this, we collected urine and blood samples from 400 artisans and 200 age-matched non-artisan control group. Urinary microalbumin, heavy metals and some haematological variables were analysed using standard methods and haematology autoanalyser (MYTHIC 22 CT) respectively. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and student t-test was used to compare mean values between the control and study groups. We reported significant differences in average values of MCV, per cent monocytes & neutrophils, total WBC counts, ESR and platelet counts among welders, petrol hawkers, and battery repairers compared to the control group. Significantly higher PTT and PTTK average values were observed among test subjects (24.23±2.45, 42.45±9.79) when compared to the control group (18.97±3.26, 35.05±15.61) respectively (p=0.00). Also, urinary microalbumin levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) among petrol hawkers (16.11±15.63), car painters (13.10±5.00) compared to the control (5.10±4.97). Our study revealed significantly (P<0.05) high levels of WBC, Monocytes, Neutrophils, ESR, Platelets, and Microalbumin among welders, car spray workers, battery repairers and petrol hawkers in Jos when compared to control. Data suggest a high probability of abnormal coagulation and susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as Diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis among others in the test population.

Keywords: Artisans, Haematological variables, Urinary Microalbumin, and Heavy Metals