Public Health Implications of Fungi-Aerosol Contamination around a Major Dumpsite in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

  • Sylvester Chibueze Izah Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Nigeria
  • Glory Richard Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
  • Ebinyo Rebecca Aseibai Department of Science Foundation, School of Foundation Studies, Bayelsa state College of Health Technology, Otuogidi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Keywords: Air pollution, Bioaerosols, Dumpsite, Environmental Health, Fungi, Waste

Abstract

         Atmospheric pollution is a major global environmental issue. Improper waste management is among the leading cause of environment contamination in many cities in developing nations. Improper waste management leads to the release of bio-aerosol into the atmosphere. Some microbial air contaminants are known to cause diseases in human especially on immune-compromised individuals. This study evaluates the fungi-aerosol around waste dumpsite in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.  Triplicate Potatoes dextrose agar was exposed for 10 minutes around a major dumpsite in Bayelsa State at a height of 1meter. The fungi density and diversity were determined following standard microbiological procedures. Results showed that the total fungi-aerosol counts ranged from 0.0004 – 0.0094 CFU/min-m2 in dry season and 0.0001 – 0.0036 CFU/min-m2 in wet season. There were statistical variations (p<0.05) across months, distances, and interaction between months and distances. Of the 16 fungi diversity isolated, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium and Rhizopus species had the highest occurring frequency in both seasons of study. Again, the isolates showed that the diversity decreased with distance (200 ->1000 ft) away from the main dumpsite. Similarity interaction between each of the distances ranged from 42.86 – 88.89% and 36.36 – 82.35% for dry and wet seasons, respectively with index above critical level of significance (50%) in most cases. Some fungi species are known to produce toxins that cause diseases in humans. Hence, personal safety measures including effective treatment of waste by appropriate agencies before disposal to reduce exposure to bioaerosols to scavengers and others are needed.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Udotong JIR, Etim JA. Effect of waste generation and management on outdoor air quality in Uyo metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Geosystem Eng 2012; 15(4): 239-246

Ben-Eledo VN, Kigigha LT, Izah SC, Eledo BO. Bacteriological Quality Assessment of Epie Creek, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Inter J Ecotoxico Ecobiol 2017; 2(3): 102-108

Seiyaboh, EI, Izah SC. Bacteriological assessment of a tidal creek receiving slaughterhouse wastes in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. J Adv Biol Biotechnol 2017; 14(1): 1 -7.

Odonkor T, Mahami T. Microbial Air Quality in Neighborhoods near Landfill Sites: Implications for Public Health. J Environ Public Health 2020; https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4609164

Seiyaboh EI, Izah SC. Impacts of Soil Pollution on Air Quality under Nigerian Setting. J Soil Water Sci 2019; 3(1):45-53.

Richard G, Weli VE, Nwagbara MO. Seasonality in Particulates Distribution from Dumpsites in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Health Risk Assessment Approach. Intern J Res Environ Sci 2019; 5(2): 7-15.

Richard G, Nwagbara MO, Weli VE. Public Health Implications of Seasonality in Noxious Gases from Dumpsites in Some Niger Delta States, Nigeria. Intern J Res Studies Biosci 2019; 7(5): 1-14

Richard G, Weli VE, Nwagbara MO. Effects of Seasons in the Distribution of Volatile Organic Compounds across Dump Sites in Some Selected Niger Delta States, Nigeria. BAOJ Biotechnol 2019; 5: 042.

Izah SC, Chakrabarty N, Srivastav AL A Review on Heavy Metal Concentration in Potable Water Sources in Nigeria: Human Health Effects and Mitigating Measures. Expo Health 2016; 8: 285-304.

Ogamba EN, Charles EE, Izah SC. Distributions, pollution evaluation and health risk of selected heavy metal in surface water of Taylor creek, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Toxicol Environ Health Sci 2020; DOI: 10.1007/s13530-020-00076-0.

Izah SC, Aigberua AO. Microbial and heavy metal hazard analysis of edible tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Toxicol Environ Health Sci 2020; 12 (4): 371–380

Izah SC, Inyang IR, Angaye TCN, Okowa IP. A review of heavy metal concentration and potential health implications in beverages consumed in Nigeria. Toxics 2017; 5 (1): 1-15.

Nrior RR, Dumbor KP. Incidence of Alarming Microbial Pathogens over Refuse Dump Sites and Its ‘Harmful Distance’ in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria. J Scientif Res Rep 2019; 23(3): 1-11.

Nrior RR, Adiele P.Microbial-Aerosol contamination in a University Campus in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Curr Stud Compa Edu Sci Technol 2015; 2 (1): 105-122

Obiekezie SO, Ekeleme IK, Adamu MO, Gnimintakpa MJ, Onalo C and Sabo, AA. Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Air Environment Around Waste Dumpsites Within Keffi Metropolis in Northern Nigeria. Amer J Biol Environ Stat Special Issue: Microbes, Man and Environmental Sustainability. 2019; 5(4): 78-84.

Agedah EC, Ineyougha ER, Izah SC, Orutugu LA. Enumeration of total heterotrophic bacteria and some physico-chemical characteristics of surface water used for drinking sources in Wilberforce Island, Nigeria. J Environ Treat Techniq 2015; 3(1): 28 – 34.

Izah SC, Bassey SE, Ohimain EI. Assessment of heavy metal in cassava mill effluent contaminated soil in a rural community in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. EC Pharmacol Toxicol 2017; 4(5): 186-201

Pepper IL, Gerba CP. Environmental Microbiology. A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed.; Elsevier Academic Press: Oxford, UK, 2004; 209p.

Benson HJ. Microbiological Applications: Laboratory Manual in General Microbiology/complete version, 5th edition. McGaraw-Hill, New York. 2002.

Barnett HL, Hunter BB. Illustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi. 3rd edition. Burges Publishing Company. Minneapolis. 1972.

Ellis D, Davis S, Alexiou H, Handke R, Bartley R. Descriptions of Medical Fungi. Second Edition. Printed in Adelaide by Nexus Print Solutions, Underdale, South Australia. 2007.

Ogbeibu AE. Biostatistics. A practical approach to research and data handling. Mindex Publishing Company Limited, Benin-City Nigeria. 2005.

Ndimele EC, Ekeleme UG, Ogodo AC, Nwachukwu NC. Evaluation of the Level of air Microbial Contamination in some Teaching Hospitals Waste Dump Site In South-Eastern Nigeria. Nig Hospital Pract 2015; 15(4):

Dubey RC, Maheshwari DK. A textbook of Microbiology2013 Revised edition. S. Chad and Company LTD. Ram Nagar, New Delhi. 2013;

Ineyougha ER, Orutugu LA and Izah SC. Assessment of Microbial Quality of Smoked Trachurus trachurus sold in some Markets of Three South-South States of Nigeria. Intern J Food Res 2015; 2: 16 – 23.

Orutugu LA, Izah SC, Aseibai ER. Microbiological quality of Kunu drink sold in some major markets of Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria. Continental J Biomed Sci 2015; 9(1): 9 – 16.

Akpeimeh GF, Fletcher LA, Evans BE. Exposure to bioaerosols at open dumpsites: A case study of bioaerosols exposure from activities at Olusosun open dumpsite, Lagos Nigeria. Waste Manag 2019; 89:37-47.

Published
2021-01-24
How to Cite
Izah, S., Richard, G., & Aseibai, E. (2021). Public Health Implications of Fungi-Aerosol Contamination around a Major Dumpsite in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques, 9(2), 458-462. Retrieved from https://dormaj.org/index.php/jett/article/view/185
Section
Regular publication process