Abstract
This study investigated the spatial occurrence of cardiovascular diseases associated with the air quality of selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt. Using the simple random sampling technique, the Trans-Amadi, Rumuokoro, Rukpokwu and Elelenwo abattoirs were selected and used for the study. However, both gases and particulates matter which include NO2, SO2, H2S, CH4, CO, PM2.5, and PM10 were collected at distances of 0, 20, 50, 100, 200 m with the aid of a hand held multi-gas monitor. The questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, duration of job in years, as well as individual frequency of hospital visitation based on symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. The electrocardiogram was employed to diagnose manifestations of ischemic heart disease among the workers especially in the roasting section. Analysis of data collected was done using the Step-wise multiple regression technique. Result showed that occurrence of cardiovascular diseases is a function of pollutant concentration (CO - r = 0.57) at Rumuokoro abattoir; (O3 - r = 0.40, SO2 - r = 0.23, CO - r = 0.14) at Rukpokwu abattoir, duration of exposure (DOE - r = 0.22) at Rumuokoro abattoir, (DOE ? r = 0.40) at Trans-Amadi abattoir; and (DOE - r = 0.20) at Elelenwo abattoir; age of worker (r = 0.06) at Rukpokwu abattoir, (r = 0.30) at Elenlewo abattoir and daily duration on the job (JOBD - r = 0.13) at Elelenwo abattoir. Findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between occurrence of vascular diseases and pollutant concentration, duration of exposure, age and duration on the job but varies from location to location. Periodic epidemiological and air quality assessment of workers at the abattoirs are strongly advocated.
Highlights
IntroductionOutdoor air pollution, composed of complex mixtures including gases (e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM), is increasingly considered a new threat to the cardiac system [1]-[4]
The use of tires for the roasting of hides and skin with its abundant thick smoke emitting in the vicinity of abattoirs in Nigeria is a common practice which has attracted serious attention from air quality experts in Nigeria
Findings showed that the mean concentration of pollutants at the sampled abattoirs
Summary
Outdoor air pollution, composed of complex mixtures including gases (e.g., carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM), is increasingly considered a new threat to the cardiac system [1]-[4]. It is manifested by endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and increased thrombogenic and inflammatory state [5]. No known study has investigated the emissions from meat processing and its relationship to the incidence of cardio vascular diseases in abattoirs [17]-[21]. The aim of this paper is to investigate the relationship between air pollutants and Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD) occurrence among abattoir workers; identify the predominant factors responsible for the incidence of CVD with a view to recommending possible ways of reducing exposure to and risk of the occurrence of CVD among the abattoir workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
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