Are Roadside Petrol Dispensers at higher risk of lead and Cadmium Toxicity? A study from Gombe State, North East, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Lead and cadmium are important occupational and environmental pollutants. Increased plasma levels of these toxic metals were found to be associated with chronic diseases. Lead causes chronic diseases through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alteration of the antioxidant defense system in occupationally exposed workers through its effects on cell membrane and DNA, while the toxic effects of cadmium are mediated via blocking the biocatalytic antioxidant actions of copper, zinc, and cobalt. Aims And Objectives: Evaluate the risk of lead and Cadmium toxicity among roadside dispensers of petrol in Gombe state, Nigeria. Materials And Methods: Plasma levels of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) were compared between 90 roadside dispensers of petrol and 90 controls. Lead and cadmium were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: The mean age of the exposed and control groups were 29.03 ± 3.7years and 29.24 ± 3.5 years respectively. The mean plasma levels of lead (20± 0.54 μg/dl) and cadmium (20± 0.45 μg/dl) were significantly higher (p< 0.001) among the roadside dispensers of petrol compared to the controls (10± 0.24 μg/dl and 10±0.2 μg/dl respectively) Conclusion: Our data has demonstrated a higher level of lead and cadmium in road side dispensers of petrol compared to the controls. This is an indication that roadside petrol dispensing is associated with high plasma lead and cadmium and may predispose to diseases associated with those heavy metals. We suggest that legislation on roadside petrol dispensing should be enforced to reduce the incidence of long-term complications from exposure.