Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria

This study evaluated the eco-health risk associated with exposure to lead (Pb) in mining sites in Benue State, Nigeria. Lead contamination was assessed in 48 water samples and 40 human blood samples. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for Pb analysis and ELISA kits for tumor necrosis fa...

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Main Authors: Samuel N. Paul, Chiara Frazzoli, Orish E. Orisakwe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-02-01
Series:Medical Sciences Forum
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9992/25/1/2
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author Samuel N. Paul
Chiara Frazzoli
Orish E. Orisakwe
author_facet Samuel N. Paul
Chiara Frazzoli
Orish E. Orisakwe
author_sort Samuel N. Paul
collection DOAJ
description This study evaluated the eco-health risk associated with exposure to lead (Pb) in mining sites in Benue State, Nigeria. Lead contamination was assessed in 48 water samples and 40 human blood samples. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for Pb analysis and ELISA kits for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) analysis. A correlation was found between the blood Pb level (BLL) and the upregulation of KIM-1. The BLL of females was slightly higher than males, resulting in a higher inflammatory response through increased TNF-α levels. An increased inflammatory response due to chronic Pb exposure was observed with age. Miners and farmers around the mining sites recorded higher TNF-α levels compared to businesspeople, thus suggesting direct exposure to other mining-associated contaminants. Artisanal and informal mining impact environmental health and the Pb body burden.
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spelling doaj-art-700ba9758d284a7e80ee3dbe8e29eafe2025-08-20T02:43:53ZengMDPI AGMedical Sciences Forum2673-99922024-02-01251210.3390/msf2024025002Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, NigeriaSamuel N. Paul0Chiara Frazzoli1Orish E. Orisakwe2World Bank African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, PMB, Choba, Port Harcourt 5323, NigeriaDepartment of Cardiovascular and Endocrine-Metabolic Diseases and Ageing, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Via Giano della Bella 34, 00162 Rome, ItalyWorld Bank African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, PMB, Choba, Port Harcourt 5323, NigeriaThis study evaluated the eco-health risk associated with exposure to lead (Pb) in mining sites in Benue State, Nigeria. Lead contamination was assessed in 48 water samples and 40 human blood samples. An Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for Pb analysis and ELISA kits for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) analysis. A correlation was found between the blood Pb level (BLL) and the upregulation of KIM-1. The BLL of females was slightly higher than males, resulting in a higher inflammatory response through increased TNF-α levels. An increased inflammatory response due to chronic Pb exposure was observed with age. Miners and farmers around the mining sites recorded higher TNF-α levels compared to businesspeople, thus suggesting direct exposure to other mining-associated contaminants. Artisanal and informal mining impact environmental health and the Pb body burden.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9992/25/1/2watereco-healthblood lead leveltoxicologyOne Health
spellingShingle Samuel N. Paul
Chiara Frazzoli
Orish E. Orisakwe
Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria
Medical Sciences Forum
water
eco-health
blood lead level
toxicology
One Health
title Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria
title_full Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria
title_fullStr Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria
title_short Towards a One Health Assessment of Artisanal and Informal Mining in Benue State, Nigeria
title_sort towards a one health assessment of artisanal and informal mining in benue state nigeria
topic water
eco-health
blood lead level
toxicology
One Health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9992/25/1/2
work_keys_str_mv AT samuelnpaul towardsaonehealthassessmentofartisanalandinformalmininginbenuestatenigeria
AT chiarafrazzoli towardsaonehealthassessmentofartisanalandinformalmininginbenuestatenigeria
AT orisheorisakwe towardsaonehealthassessmentofartisanalandinformalmininginbenuestatenigeria