Heavy Metals and Liver Cell Damage Among Adults Living Close to Open Dumpsites: A Cross Sectional Study at Abokobi

Abstract

Improper management of waste remains a major developmental issue and ~contributor to pollution especially in developing countries. The most widely used waste disposal method IS landfill which is usually open dumpsites without recovery systems to prevent gases and leachates from escaping into the environment. Due to the inability to prevent these pollutants, human beings are exposed to different air pollutants which include heavy metals. Heavy metals such as cadmium and arsenic have been associated with adverse effects on liver function (Oyeku et al,201O) Abokobi open dumpsite, due to its proximity to human settlement, exposes the indigenes of the community to various air pollutants which include arsenic and cadmium. This study aimed to assess the potential health implications of adults residing 1-4 km from the dumpsite and recommend methods of reducing liver dysfunction. General objective To assess the liver function of adults residing around the Abokobi dumpsite. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from May to July 2017 among fifty-two respondents. Interviews, liver enzyme sampling, blood analysis were used to collect data from the respondents. Analysis of the data was performed on all the respondents. Mean values and standard deviation of the cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) and the AL T, AST and ALP were recorded. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between the heavy metals in the blood and the indicators of liver cell damage. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 36.82 and 48% of the respondents lived at a proximal level within 1-2 km from the Abokobi dumpsite. The mean concentration (standard deviation) of the heavy metals ranged from as 10.71 ug/L (2.739) and Cd 9.38 ug/L (8.71) and the mean concentration (standard deviation) of the liver enzymes were ALP 93.56 lU/L (45.31), AST 35.96 lU/L (30.24) and ALT 15.49 lU/L (10.38). Conclusion: This study showed normal activity in the Alanine aminotransferase (AL T) and alkaline phospahtase (ALP) level and a slightly elevated level in the Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level is the respondents. The respondents all had normal levels of cadmium and arsenic in their blood. There was however no significant association between the liver parameters and the cadmium and arsenic level. Key words: ALT, AST, ALP, Cadmium, Arsenic, liver cell damage