title: Environmental impact of vehicular traffic in Nigeria: health aspects.
abstract: Blood lead levels were analysed and pulmonary function tests were performed on Nigerian traffic wardens, comprising sixty from Lagos (ages 24-52 years; 27 +/- 6), thirteen from the sparsely populated university town of Ile-Ife (ages 22-40 years; 27 +/- 8) and a control group of twenty-four subjects (age 19-55 years; 31 +/- 8). Perkin-Elmer Zeeman 3030/HGA 600 AAS was used for blood analysis. The mean lead level in Lagos wardens was 18.1 +/- 6.4 micrograms/dl, which was significantly higher than the level of 10.2 +/- 2.7 micrograms/dl in Ife wardens and 12.9 +/- 7.0 micrograms/dl obtained in the controls (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the levels of blood lead in Ife traffic wardens and normal controls. Significant differences (P < 0.0005) in spirometric measurements--peak flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC)--were observed between traffic wardens and control subjects. The noise levels measured along traffic roads exceeded the threshold for hearing damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Ogunsola
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Oluwole
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Asubiojo
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Durosinmi
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Fatusi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ruck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001336:Automobiles; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D009624:Noise, Transportation; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
chemical_list: D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D007854:Lead