Waste pickers are exposed to various harmful substances capable of altering many physiologic processes. The aim of this study is to determine whether waste picking can result in dyslipidemia or abnormal blood pressure. The study was carried out in Osogbo, where 30 waste pickers and another 30 age-matched males who have not been in waste disposal business that served as control group were recruited. Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) of each participant was obtained. The sera obtained from 5 mL of blood after an over-night fast were utilized to determine the lipid profile using standard photometric methods. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The level of statistical significance was p ≤ 0.05. Data obtained revealed that there were no significant differences between waste pickers and control with respect to the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Of all the components of lipid profile, only HDL-C was negatively correlated with systolic BP (r = -0.416, p = 0.022) and diastolic BP (r = -0.386, p = 0.035). While it is generally accepted that waste picking may result in many pathological conditions, abnormal lipid profile and altered blood pressure were not detected in waste pickers in Osogbo (Nigeria).
Introduction: Both hepatic parenchymal and renal cells are rich in enzymes required for the biotransformation of various exogenous substances, a process that sometimes may result in organ damage. Contact with solid waste will undoubtedly result in high degree of exposure to various harmful substances. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of solid waste scavenging on hepato-renal function. Material and Methods: Twenty-nine solid waste scavengers and 30 subjects who served as control were used for the study. Serum obtained from 5 mL of blood was utilized to assess hepatic (alanine & aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total protein, γ-globulins) and renal (urea, creatinine) functions of each participant. Standard photometric methods were used for all estimations. Data were analyzed using Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results and Discussion: Significant differences were observed for globulins and total proteins in solid waste scavengers compared with control (p<0.05) while other parameters (alanine & aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, urea) were not significantly different (p>0.05). There was total non-compliance to the use of personal protective equipment. Results of the study revealed that hepatic and renal markers were not significantly different but γ-globulins were significantly higher in solid waste scavengers compared with control group. Conclusion: Solid waste scavenging in Osogbo is not associated with hepatorenal alteration except that γ-globulin fraction was elevated.
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