Browsing by Author "Sawyerr, Henry Olawale"

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    A Follow-up Study on Lead Poisoning in Soil and Drinking Water Sources in Bagega Village in Zamfara State, Nigeria
    (Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Kebbi State University, Kebbi, Nigera, 2024-12-31) Salami, Olalekan Oluwatoyosi; Aminu, Liman; Sawyerr, Henry Olawale
    Lead poisoning from artisanal small-scale gold mining has occurred in 38 villages in Zamfara State, Nigeria since 2010. Soils from only 8 of the affected villages had been remediated including those from the town used for this study. This study assesses the lead concentration in the soil and water media of the village. Soil samples were collected in the vicinity of the village as well as at the mining/processing site. Water samples were also collected from well, boreholes and the pond near the village. All samples were collected, preserved, and prepared for lead analysis using standard procedures. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer was used for lead content analysis. Lead in the mining/processing site (soil) was 9200 to 12500 mg/kg while that of the village soil was between 10.1 and 33.6 mg/kg. Lead content was detectable only in the well water (0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg) and in the pond (0.9 to 1.21 mg/kg). Although the values were below the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline for soil lead, the level in water was elevated above the maximum allowable limit for drinking water. Better monitoring of children between 5 and 15 years of age for bioaccumulation was suggested to prevent future reoccurrence of the health impact of the affected children and young adults.
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    Assessment of drinking water quality in rural northern Nigeria: a case study of Diggi village in Kebbi State, Nigeria.
    (2024-06-30) Sawyerr, Henry Olawale; Iyanda, Yusuf Ayodeji; Salami, Olalekan Oluwatoyosi; Bagudu B. M.
    The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target, and recently, World Health Organizations’ SDG goal, was to achieve access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. An important strategy to achieve these goals was to obtain up-to-date information of water sources and their quality, especially the rural areas. This study assesses and provides such information on the typical sources and quality of drinking water available in a northern Nigeria rural community, most of which still lack infrastructure for effective treatment and distribution. Water samples from three wells and two boreholes were collected, analysed in-situ and in the laboratory for quality – physico-chemical, heavy metals and bacteriological parameters using appropriate methods. The pH was within acceptable limit (5.64 – 7.77) except in the well located at Illela. Although the conductivity (12.6-435.0 µs/cm), TDS (7.45-261 mg/l), alkalinity (10.0-12 mg/l) and chloride (1.9-45.9) values were lower than the recommended WHO ranges, the values could affect acceptability of the water. The well in Kofar Yamma recorded high lead values (0.09 mg/l) as well as chromium (0.08 mg/l) and arsenic (0.06 mg/l). The five water sources have very poor microbiologic quality with records of E. coli in all the samples. Boiling, chlorination and better hygiene practice was recommended for the village community.
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    Evaluation of biomedical waste in Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
    (Academic Journals, 2017-04-01) Sawyerr, Henry Olawale; Adeolu, Adedotun Timothy; Salami, Olalekan Oluwatoyosi; Adejoh, P. A.
    Adequate handling, efficient treatment and effective methods of biomedical waste play a vital role in the hospital infection control programme. Inadequate management of healthcare waste is a serious concern in many developing countries due to the risks posed to human health and environment. This study evaluates the biomedical waste generated at the Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Anyigba. Seven wards were selected within the health facilities to determine the quantities of waste. The result showed that total waste generated in seven consecutive days was 19.89 kg/week. The average waste generated in seven wards was 2.8 kg/week and average waste generated per day was 0.4 kg/day. The quantity of waste increased as the number of patients and visitors increased. There were non-availability of bags in all the bins used for waste collection, storage and the bins were not colour coded, neither was there segregation of waste in the seven units. The study equally showed that the waste collected from the hospital are subjected to open burning which may affect the health of the workers, patients, visitors and the residents. There should be proper management of healthcare waste which can be improved through employment and retraining of staff, provision of colour coded bins and at least an incinerator for waste treatment before final disposal.
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    Impact of Dumpsites on the Quality of Soil and Groundwater in Satellite Towns of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
    (EHP PUBLISHING, 2017-06-01) Sawyerr, Henry Olawale; Adeolu, Adedotun Timothy; Afolabi, Abiodun Segun; Salami, Olalekan Oluwatoyosi; Badmos, Biola Kazeem
    Background: Urbanization, industrialization and changes in consumption patterns have compounded the problem of solid waste management in Nigeria. Poor waste management threatens the well-being and health of the local population, particularly those living adjacent to dumpsites. Objectives. An assessment of the impact of dumpsites in a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria was carried out to determine the level of biophysical/chemical parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, nutrients (calcium and magnesium), heavy metals (lead, chromium, zinc), and microbial burden) on the quality of soil and groundwater and their impact on health and the environment. Methods. Soil and ground water samples were collected in four different dumpsites (Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Azhatta) with reference samples taken from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and taken to the laboratory for biophysical/chemical analysis using standard methods. Results. The results were compared with the national and World Health Organization (WHO) standard limits for soil and water respectively. Except for zinc, the average concentrations for heavy metals in the soil samples were higher in all four dumpsites than the permissible levels. Soil and water parameters that exceed the standard limits pose significant health and environment risks to nearby residents. Conclusions. There is a need for raising the awareness of residents living close to dumpsites and those who use the well or nearby streams for domestic activities on the need to carry out adequate water treatment prior to its use.
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    Spatial variation in diversity of woody vegetation species within Kwara State University Malete campus, Kwara, Nigeria
    (International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2018-10) Suleiman, Romoke Monsurat; Sawyerr, Henry Olawale; Adio, Abdulrasheed; Salako, Gabriel
    The roles of woody vegetations and Africa savanna in human development and survival as attracted interest in their conservation to prevent the depletion or loss of those resources. However, there is need for accurate data on species composition, distribution and conservation of woody species in many parts of Africa for adequate planning, monitoring, management and conservation efforts. This study assessed woody species composition, distribution and diversity in Kwara State University, Malete Campus. Simple random sampling technique was applied using plot method which was achieved using geographic information system (GIS) application to overlay the area boundary with grids of cell of 100 x 100 m plots. Data were collected from each plot, all woody species were identified, counted, and trees basal covers were measured. Species frequency, density, abundant, dominance, importance value index (IVI) and diversity were determined. A total of 46 trees and 10 shrubs species belonging to 20 families of tree and 8 families of shrubs were identified. Abundant tree species were Daniella oliveri and Azadirachata indica while the abundant shrubs species were Piliostigma thonningii and Acacia nilotica. Shannon diversity index and Shannon measure of evenness revealed that the diversity for trees species was higher (H’=2.4309 and J= 0.6349) than shrubs species (H’=1.1166 and J=0.4849). There was spatial variation in diversity of trees and shrubs within the university which has more tree species than shrubs species. Hence, university management and community should pay attention to conservation planning and management activities with special consideration on their ecological implication.