Browsing by Author "Ngure, Veronica"

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    Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in Urban Soils and the Implications to Consumers Health
    (Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 2015-01) Ngure, Veronica; Sitati, Noah; Shisia, Silvanus; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.
    Elevated levels of metals due to anthropogenic activities are a cause of environmental concern because of their effects on human health. Eldoret Municipality, in Kenya, is one of the fastest growing municipalities with both industrial and agricultural developments. The study aimed at determining the concentration of five elements namely zinc (Zn), lead (Pd), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) in five sample sites within the municipality and established the possible health risks in the residents. Measured concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu and Cd in surface horizon soils were used to estimate the geochemical load indices and their spatial distribution. Four soil samples were collected monthly from each sample site on the same farms totaling 200 soil samples. The samples were dried, ground and sieved for metal digestion using varied acids in the laboratory and analysis was done against metal standards using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Only Cd concentration (0.0286mg/kg) in all sites was above the recommended unpolluted soils. Epidemiological data were obtained from the residents and hospitals to establish associated health risks. Determination of metals’ combined effects using multivariate Principal Component Analysis showed that varying concentrations of Zn and Pb tended to increase incidences of cancer, hypertension and stroke. Metals Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations correlated with development of cardiovascular diseases. Awareness rising to residents of Eldoret Municipality on high Cd concentration in the soil and use of alternative forms of fertilizers and related chemicals with low Cd content is recommended.
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    Concentration levels of potentially harmful elements from gold mining in Lake Victoria Region, Kenya: Environmental and health implications
    (Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2014) Ngure, Veronica; Davies, Theophilus; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Sitati, Noah; Shisia, Silvanus; Okoth, Elijah Oyoo
    Second only to the agricultural industry, mining is often considered to be the largest source of pollution in most mineral-rich countries. Minewastes and tailings commonly generate large concentrations of effluents containing high levels of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) which migrate into various compartments of the ecosystem with obvious undesirable health consequences. In this study, the concentrations of As Cd, Hg and Pb were determined on samples of soil, stream water and fish (Rastrineobola argentea) collected from the Migori Gold Belt (MGB) in Kenya. Maximum total concentrations of Cd, Pb, As and Hg recorded in some samples in the study area were found to be far above the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) maximum allowable concentrations (MAC), respectively, including some from the control site, 150 km away from the MGB. The calculated geometric means showed that the PHE concentrations were significantly above MAC levels (p b 0.05) in the three sample types. The PHE concentrations were as follows: in water, Cd: 1.5–10.5 μg l−1, Pb: 0.4–13.1 μg l−1, As: 0.06–23.0 μg l−1, and Hg: 0.36–52.1 μg l−1; in soil, Cd: 4.5–570 mg kg−1, Pb: 5.9–619 mg kg−1, As: 0.08–86.0 mg kg−1, and Hg: 0.51–1830 mg kg−1; and in fish; Cd, 1.9–10.1 mg kg−1, Pb: 2.0–13.1 mg kg−1, As: 0.02–1.92 mg kg−1, and Hg: 0.26–355 mg kg−1. Concentrations of PHEs were much higher in the area affected by gold mining area than at point S4 which was sampled for comparison and was 70 km away from the gold mining area. We conclude that gold mining and other human activities in the MGB have led to the release of toxic levels of Cd, Pb, As and Hg, which may lead to serious environmental health consequences in humans. We recommend that the public health sector addresses in a timely fashion, these sources of contamination (gold mining and associated human activities), in order to obviate impending health problems.
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    Health Implications of Heavy Metals in Soil, Scalp Hair and Selected Food Crops within Eldoret Municipality, Kenya
    (IOSR Journal Of Environmental Science, Toxicology And Food Technology, 2013-12) Ngure, Veronica; Sitati, Noah; Shisia, Silvanus; Simiyu, Gelas; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Kelonye, Festus
    Heavy metals were analyzed in soils, food crops and male scalp hair samples collected from two age group subjects; adults (18 - 45 years) and old age (46 - 55 years) males from polluted and relatively less polluted areas in Eldoret Municipality environs, Kenya. The samples used were collected from same sites as the individuals who had stayed in the sampled regions for more than five years. The samples were digested using acids and analyzed using Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometry (AAS). The results revealed that the consumption of food crops grown on contaminated soils have significantly increased the concentrations of selected metals in the human hair. Pd and Cd concentrations in soils and food crops showed elevated levels above the WHO recommended limits. Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in male scalp hair samples collected from polluted area as compared to control area. In conclusion, consumers in the study area are exposed to high health risks associated with bioaccumulation of heavy metals through ingestion of heavy metals resulting from contamination of food crops grown in the study area and should be sensitized on the dangers of heavy metals on their health
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    Health risk implications of lead, cadmium, zinc, and nickel for consumers of food items in Migori Gold mines, Kenya
    (Elsevier, Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2020) Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Ngure, Veronica
    This paper reports on the concentration levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) in soil and water in the Migori gold mining area of Kenya. To determine the possible entry into the food chain, samples of fish, maize, cabbages, mangoes, potatoes and human scalp hair were collected and analysed from three (3) sites within and one (1) site outside, the study area. The aim was to establish potential health risks posed to miners and communities who consume food crops and fish harvested in the vicinity of the gold mining areas. Samples were prepared by standard methods and analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The concentration of Pb, Cd, Zn and Ni in soils exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) for agricultural soil. Concentration levels in fish were above MAC levels. Concentration levels in food items were highest in maize, cabbages and potatoes, in that order. Human hair showed elevated levels of Ni above MAC values in some of the samples analysed while all hair samples had elevated Zn contents above MAC. These results indicate that the local food items commonly available in Migori gold mining villages may contribute to increased body burden of potentially harmful elements (PHEs), with R. argentea, maize and cabbages contributing the highest levels.
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    Levels of heavy metals in wastewater and soil samples from open drainage channels in Nairobi, Kenya: community health implication
    (Scientific Reports, 2020) Kamau, Luna; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Ngure, Veronica; Beti, Dunstone; Lugalia, Reuben; Wangila, Agnes
    Levels of Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) & Thallium (Tl) were established in wastewater & soil samples obtained from 8 sites in open drainage channels at Nairobi industrial area, Kenya. Ultra-trace inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was used for metal analysis. Temperature, pH & turbidity of wastewater ranged from 16.75 to 26.05 °C; 7.28 to 8.78; 160.33 to 544.69 ppm respectively and within World Health Organization (WHO) allowable limits. Wastewater conductivities in 4 sites ranged from 770 to 1074 μS/cm and above WHO limits at 25 °C. The mean concentrations of the metals in wastewater ranged from 0.0001 to 0.015 ppm in an ascending order of Tl
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    Monitoring Exposure to Heavy Metals through Maize Consumption Using Human Hair among Male Adults in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya
    (Laikipia University College, Moi University, Daystar University, 2011-09-01) Ngure, Veronica; Simiyu, Gelas; Sitati, Noah; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Shisia, Silvanus
    This paper reports on findings using hair as biomonitor marker for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu) from geological source and exposure through regular maize consumption among selected male adults in Eldoret Municipality who had resided for five continous years. Concentration of Pb and Cu in anthropogenic pathways, while Cd and Cr reflected accumulation from the human activities. Usually higher concentration of heavy metals hair samples suggest longer term exposure. The estimated intake of Cd and Cr from maize in one zone associated with high concentration of the metals from geological source was appreciably above the respective recommended daily allowance (RDA), signifying possible health risks to humans. Significant correlations between Pb, Cd and Cu in hair and heavy metals from maize consumed suggested maize consumption as possible pathways of exposure of heavy metals in humans. Possible health risks from heavy metals were likely due to consumption of higher quantities of maize contaminated from geological and human activities
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    Selected Practices among Rural Residents Versus the Prevalence of Amoebiasis and Giardiasis in Njoro Distrct, Kenya
    (African Journal of Health Sciences, 2012) Anjili, Christopher O.; Geoffrey, Kinuthia K.; Afolayan, Funmilayo I. D.; Ngure, Veronica
    The study was designed to investigate on selected practices among rural population, and their likely contribution to the spread of amoebiasis (E. histolytica) and giardiasis (G. lamblia). A cross sectional study was carried out in three villages, namely Kikapu, Piave and Belbar in Njoro District, Kenya. Questionnaire, interviews and personal observations were used to obtain data from 336 randomly selected consenting individuals in homesteads in the three villages. A retrospective study was further carried out to establish the prevalence of E. histolytica and G. lamblia among outpatients attending two randomly selected health centers in the study area. Majority of the respondents’ highest education level was basic primary school education (61%), unemployment (98%) and with a monthly expenditure of less than 2200 Kenya Shillings or 28 US Dollars (81%). Eighty percent of the respondents were classified under low economic status. Eighty two percent reported lack of piped water and boiling of drinking water was less likely to occur among the low economic status respondents (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.423, 2 = 9.88; 95% CI of -5.74 to 6.58). However, washing of hands with soap after using a latrine seemingly was not influenced by economic status of the respondents (OR = 1; 2 = 0; 95% CI = 0). The level of education seemed to influence on the adoption of risky practices, such as, failure to boil drinking water was more likely to occur among respondents who had a low academic level (OR = 0.84, 2 = 0.04, 95% CI of -2.27 to 3.95). The stool tests records at Njoro PCEA health center showed that the prevalence of E. histolytica (20.83%) and G. lamblia (20.32%) were higher than the corresponding prevalence at Njoro County Council health center which were 1.34% and 0.00% respectively. Concurrent infections of E. histolytica and G. lamblia were absent in the two health centers. The trend of E. histolytica and G. lamblia followed an alternating pattern, in which an increase in one directly corresponded to a decrease in the other and vice versa in the two health centers. It was concluded that poverty and low education levels were significant factors that influenced on the adoption of risky lifestyles that were likely to enhance parasitic infections. There is a need for reliable diagnostic methods other than direct microscopy for E. histolytica and G. lamblia stool tests in order to minimize the wide variation of the results in the two health centers. Public health education should also be enhanced to discourage the adoption of risky practices.
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    Urban mosquitoes and filamentous green algae: their biomonitoring role in heavy metal pollution in open drainage channels in Nairobi industrial area, Kenya
    (BMC Ecology and Evolution, 2021) Kamau, Luna; Kinuthia, Geoffrey K.; Ngure, Veronica
    Background: Industrial wastewater is a human health hazard upon exposure. Aquatic organisms in contaminated wastewater may accumulate the toxic elements with time. Human population living in informal settlements in Nairobi industrial area risk exposure to such toxic elements. Biomonitoring using aquatic organisms in open drainage channels can be key in metal exposure assessment. Levels of Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Thallium (Tl), and Nickel (Ni) were established in samples of wastewater, filamentous green algae (Spirogyra) and mosquitoes obtained from open drainage channels in Nairobi industrial area, Kenya. Results: Pb, Cr, & Ni levels ranged from 3.08 to 15.31 μg/l while Tl, Hg, & Cd ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 μg/l in wastewater. The Pb, Cr, Ni, & Cd levels were above WHO, Kenya & US EPA limits for wastewater but Hg was not. Pb, Cr, Tl, & Ni levels in assorted field mosquitoes were 1.3–2.4 times higher than in assorted laboratory-reared mosquitoes. Hg & Cd concentrations in laboratory-reared mosquitoes (0.26 mg/kg & 1.8 mg/kg respectively) were higher than in field mosquitoes (0.048 mg/kg & 0.12 mg/kg respectively). The levels of Pb, Cr, & Ni were distinctively higher in field mosquito samples than in wastewater samples from the same site. Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd & Hg levels in green filamentous Spirogyra algae were 110.62, 29.75, 14.45, 0.44, & 0.057 mg/kg respectively. Correlation for Pb & Hg (r (2) = 0.957; P < 0.05); Cd & Cr (r (2) = 0.985; P < 0.05) in algae samples was noted. The metal concentrations in the samples analyzed were highest in filamentous green algae and least in wastewater. Conclusion: Wastewater, mosquitoes, and filamentous green algae from open drainage channels and immediate vicinity, in Nairobi industrial area (Kenya) contained Hg, Pb, Cr, Cd, Tl, and Ni. Mosquitoes in urban areas and filamentous green algae in open drainage channels can play a role of metal biomonitoring in wastewater. The potential of urban mosquitoes transferring heavy metals to human population from the contaminated wastewater should be investigated.