Browsing by Author "Simiyu, Gelas"

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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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    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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    PCBs in Fish and Their Cestode Parasites in Lake Victoria.
    (Environmental Monitoring and Assessment., 2016) Oyoo-Okoth, Elijah; Oluoch-Otiego, John; Kipkorir, Koross Godfrey Kiptoo; Chemoiwa, Emily J.; Ngugi, Charles C.; Simiyu, Gelas; Omutange, Elijah S.; Ngure, Veronica; Opiyo, Mary A.
    Polychlorinatedbiphenyls(PCBs)areclassified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) regulated by the Stockholm Convention (2001). Although their production and use was stopped almost three decades ago, PCBs are environmental persistent, toxic, and bioaccumulate in biota. We assessed the levels of 7 PCB congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) in sediment and fish (Oreochromis niloticus, Lates niloticus, and Rastrineobola argentea) and evaluated the potential of cestode fish endoparasite (Monobothrioides sp., Proteocephalaus sp., and Ligula intestinalis) as concentration of Σ7PCBs in sediments and fish were 2.2– 96.3 μg/kg dw and 300–3,000 μg/kg lw, respectively. At all the sampling sites, CB138, CB153, and CB180 were the dominant PCB congeners in sediment and fish samples. Compared to the muscle of the piscine host, Proteocephalaus sp. (infecting L. niloticus) biomagnified PCBs ×6–14 while Monobothrioides sp. (infecting O. niloticus) biomagnified PCBs ×4–8. Meanwhile, L. intestinalis (infecting R. argentea) biomagnified PCBs ×8–16 compared to the muscle of unparasitized fish. We demonstrate the occurrence of moderate to high levels of PCB in sediments and fish in Lake Victoria. We also provide evidence that fish parasites bioaccumulate higher levels of PCBs than their piscine hosts and therefore provide a promising biomonitor of PCBs. We urge further a long-term study to validate the use of the above cestode fish parasites as biomonitoring tools for PCBs.