Authors: Imiete Godspower, Kpang MeeluBari BarinuaTsaro.
This study examined the occurrences of CVD among meat roasters in relation to pollutants exposures in abattoirs in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Four abattoirs with 50 workers were sampled while air quality parameters were obtained from five points at distances (Om, 20m, 50m, 100m and 200m) in each abattoir. The hand held air quality sampler was used to measure pollutants including gases and particulates such as NO2 , O3 , SO2 , H2 S, CH4 , CO, PM2.5 and PM10 in parts per million (ppm) and microgram per cubic metre (µg/m3 ) whereas the electrocardiogram, ECG machine Cardiart 108T (BPL, India) was used to record electrical events in the heart muscle in order to diagnosed manifestations of CVD. The mean concentration of pollutants measured were O3 (0.43), SO2 (0.31), H2 S (0.17), CH4 (0.15), CO (0.64), PM2.5(2.26) and PM10(8.88). The Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Analysis of Variance statistical tools were employed in the analyses and the coefficient r = .616, r2 = .379 revealed that 38% of CVD occurrence among meat roasters is due to pollutant concentration exposure. On the other, pollutant concentration across the area do not vary significantly as revealed by the ANOVA result (F= 2.3941, P<0.05) with 74% of CVD occurrence observed among workers between the ages of 21-40 years of age. The study concluded that abattoirs are localized source of air pollution releasing pollutants, which contributes significantly to CVD occurrence. Thus, air quality monitoring, constant environmental management and evaluation of abattoirs, use of personal preventive/precautionary approach including going for constant medical check-up, adherence to medical advice, use of personal protective equipment and reduction in duration of exposure were highly recommended.
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