Toxicological impact of gasoline generator emissions using rat models

Abstract

Nigeria has been identified as one of the largest active users of gasoline generators globally. Due to the widespread incessant use of gasoline generators, the present study assessed the exposure to gasoline generator emission (GGE) and some toxicity endpoints. This study employed a laboratory-based experimental design. An emission chamber was designed using clear thermoplastic to house the rats during exposure to 0.5KVA GGEs. Three experimental groups, each with eight rats respectively, were subjected to 5, 10, 15 minutes of of daily GGE exposure for fourteen days for fourteen days, while the fourth was a control group. Selected air quality parameters were measured using the appropriate samplers. Assays like liver function tests, antioxidant enzyme activity, and micronucleus frequency were conducted after the experiment. Micronucleus frequency significantly increased with time of GGE exposure (p=0.000), while the liver tissue antioxidant activity of the test groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, histopathological examinations revealed lesions like sinusoidal congestion and vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes in liver tissues of the exposed rats. However, the liver function test showed a non-significant association with their level of GGE exposure. The result of this study suggested that exposure to GGEs at a non-lethal concentration in a sub-acute or chronic manner has deleterious effects on mammalian biochemical systems. Therefore, the use of exhaust filters and improvement in the ventilating systems of houses are encouraged to reduce exposure rates in developing countries like Nigeria, where GGEs are widespread due to erratic electricity supply.