BACKGROUND: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) has been widely used as a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in occupationally exposed workers. The objective of this study is to investigate the concentration of urinary 1-OHP among charcoal workers as subjects and non-charcoal workers as controls. METHODS: Early morning urine samples were collected from 68 persons (25 charcoal workers in Igbo-Ora, 20 charcoal workers in Alabata, and 23 non-charcoal workers) who volunteered to participate in this study. 1-OHP determination in urine samples was carried out using high performance liquid chromatography after hydrolysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean urinary 1-OHP concentration (μmol/mol creatinine) among charcoal workers at Igbo-Ora and Alabata and non-charcoal workers were 2.22 ± 1.27, 1.32 ± 0.65, and 0.32 ± 0.26 (p < 0.01). There existed a relationship between respondent type and 1-OHP concentration. Charcoal workers were 3.14 times more at risk of having 1-OHP concentrations that exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists guideline of 0.49 μmol/mol creatinine than non-charcoal workers (relative risk = 3.14, 95% confidence interval: 1.7–5.8, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Charcoal workers are exposed to PAHs during charcoal production and are at risk of experiencing deleterious effects of PAH exposure. Routine air quality assessment should be carried out in communities where charcoal production takes place. Assessment of urinary 1-OHP concentration and use of personal protective equipment should also be encouraged among charcoal workers.
Charcoal* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Hydrolysis ; Nigeria* ; Occupations ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic* ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective To determine the levels of some selected heavy metals in both the selected anti-diabetic herbal plants and infused concoctions for diabetes treatment. Methods Ten anti-diabetic plant samples: pawpaw leaves (Carica papaya), bitter melon leaves (Momordica charantia), holy basil leaves (Ocimum sanctum), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale), garlic (Allium sativum), African red pepper fruits (Capsicum frutescens), negro pepper grain (Xylopia aethiopica), cashew leaves (Anacardium occidentale) and onion bulb (Allium cepa) were evaluated for heavy metals. These were digested using standard methods and analyzed for manganese, copper, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium and lead using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The infused concoctions (I and II) prepared from these medicinal herbs administered to diabetic patients were also analyzed for these heavy metals. Concoction I contained all the plants and honey with the exception of Momordica charantia and Ocimum sanctum which constituted concoction II with water only. The data obtained were subject to descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (ANOVA and DMRT) statistics. Results Chromium and nickel levels were below detection limits in concoction I while manganese [(0.11 ± 0.01) μg/g] and zinc [(0.09 ± 0.01) μg/g] were detected in concoction II. Honey contained manganese [(0.10 ± 0.01) μg/g] and nickel [(0.70 ± 0.01) μg/g]. The anti-diabetic medicinal herbs and infused concoctions (I and II) were observed to contain heavy metals below the compared limits. Conclusions The study thus shows that the herbs and concoctions are safe from the heavy metals considered. However, right dosage of the anti-diabetic concoctions should always be considered to prevent possible chronic side effects from bio-accumulation of heavy metals.

Objective: To determine the levels of some selected heavy metals in both the selected anti-diabetic herbal plants and infused concoctions for diabetes treatment. Methods: Ten anti-diabetic plant samples:pawpaw leaves(Carica papaya),bitter melon leaves(Momordica charantia),holy basil leaves(Ocimum sanctum),bitter leaf(Vernonia amygdalina), ginger rhizome (Zingiber of昀cinale), garlic (Allium sativum), African red pepper fruits (Capsicum frutescens), negro pepper grain (Xylopia aethiopica), cashew leaves(Anacardium occidentale)and onion bulb(Allium cepa)were evaluated for heavy metals.These were digested using standard methods and analyzed for manganese,copper, nickel, chromium, zinc, cadmium and lead using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The infused concoctions (I and II) prepared from these medicinal herbs administered to diabetic patients were also analyzed for these heavy metals.Concoction I contained all the plants and honey with the exception of Momordica charantia and Ocimum sanctum which constituted concoction II with water only. The data obtained were subject to descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (ANOVA and DMRT) statistics. Results: Chromium and nickel levels were below detection limits in concoction I while manganese[(0.11 ± 0.01)μg/g]and zinc[(0.09 ± 0.01)μg/g]were detected in concoction II.Honey contained manganese[(0.10 ± 0.01)μg/g]and nickel[(0.70 ± 0.01)μg/g].The anti-diabetic medicinal herbs and infused concoctions(I and II)were observed to contain heavy metals below the compared limits. Conclusions: The study thus shows that the herbs and concoctions are safe from the heavy metals considered.However,right dosage of the anti-diabetic concoctions should always be considered to prevent possible chronic side effects from bio-accumulation of heavy metals.