Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science最新文献

{"title":"Burnout, Occupational Stress, Health and Road Accidents among Bus Drivers: Barriers and Challenges for Prevention","authors":"Sergio A. Useche, Francisco Alonso, Boris Cendales, Renata Autukevičiūtė, Andrea Serge","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170202074636","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170202074636","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The widely documented relationship between psychosocial work factors and occupational accidents have not been translated into intervention strategies in some high-risk occupational groups, such as public transport drivers. According to the recent scientific evidence, city bus drivers tend to present high levels of occupational stress, burnout and accidents at work. Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize the job strain/burnout profile of professional bus drivers, and associate their stress/burnout profile with their road incidents (road accidents+fines) reported in the last two years. Methods: The study sample was formed by 222 Colombian male city bus drivers with an average of 41.36 years of age, a mean of driving experience of 18.63 years and, in average 6.82 years working in their current transport company. Participants of this study had a mean of 0.51 road accidents and 1.19 traffic fines in the last two years. It was designed a questionnaire composed by four sections: a) demographics, b) job strain (Karasek’s JCQ), c) burnout (Maslach Burnout Inventory), and d) self-reported health. Data collection process was conducted in 2014-15, and analyzes along 2016. Results: A high proportion of city bus drivers report Job Strain (40.5%). The average scores of emotional exhaustion (X=21.01) and cynicism (X=17.88) were also high. Cluster analysis where used in order to characterize the job strain/burnout profile of professional bus drivers. Two job strain/burnout profiles significantly different were found (Low job strain/burnout: n=34.3% and high job strain/burnout: n=65.7%). The bus drivers with high job strain/burnout profile reported significantly more accidents than those with low job strain/burnout profile (F(2.216)=269.1, p=0.00). Conclusions: This study confirms that the prevalence of occupational stress and burnout are significantly high among Colombian bus drivers. In addition, it was found that the bus drivers Job strain/burnout profile is related to their performance behind the wheel. Therefore, the intervention on these factors represent a potentially successful strategy for the prevention of road accidents and risk behaviors that lead to penalties and fines.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"12 1","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90840880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbiological and Physicochemical Studies of Wetland Soils in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria","authors":"F. Doherty, A. Adeola, Godwin O Ovioma, I. Aneyo, Ruqeeyat O Binuyo","doi":"10.5455/jeos.20170815060914","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/jeos.20170815060914","url":null,"abstract":"The Microbiological and Physicochemical characteristics of wetland soils in Alimosho Local Government Area, Nigeria were studied during the dry season in 2015. Total Heterotrophic Bacterial Counts (THBC) and Total Fungal Counts (TFC) were deter mined using standard procedures from four locations at 2-20cm depths during the dry season. Microbial isolates were characterized and identified. Chemical param eters were also determined using UV-VIS Spectrophotometer. THBC ranged from 7.0×103cfu/g to 2.0×10 3 cfu/g for the different locations of the site. The THBC for the control site was 5.0×10 3 cfu/g, Site 1 was 2.0×10 3 cfu/g, Site 2 was 7.0×10 3 cfu/g and Site 3 was 3.0×10 3 cfu/g. TFC ranged from 8.0×10 3 cfu/g to 3.0×103cfu/g for different loca tions of the site. The TFC for the control site was 4.0×10 3 cfu/g, Site1 was 3.0×10 3 cfu/g, Site2 was 8.0×10 3 cfu/g, and Site3 was 3.0×10 3 cfu/g respectively. Bacillus sp, Staphy lococcus sp, Pseudomonas sp, Klebsiella sp, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus species which were identified by biochemical test were predominate bacteria while Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp, Rhizopus sp, Mucor sp and Fusarium sp which were also identified macroscopically and microscopically were the domi nant fungi genera isolated. The physicochemical results showed values which ranged from 1957.33mg/kg to 2703.88mg/kg for Iron, 122.87mg/kg to 172.95mg/kg for Zinc, 24250.12mg/kg to 31832.45mg/kg for Potassium, 8078.48mg/kg to 12269.17mg/kg for Calcium, 0.17ppm to 0.30ppm for Phosphate and 0.04ppm to 0.8ppm for Nitrite. The pH ranged from 5.14 to 6.52 and Temperature ranged from 25°C to 27.3°C. It was observed that the pH was generally acidic at all locations. Potassium dominated the exchangeable bases among the elements while phosphate and nitrite have the least occurrence. Though the presence of some minerals in higher amount in the soil may lead to increase in bacterial load and help the organisms in degrading a wide variety of organic material which will eventually lead to high yield productivity of agricultural products from the wetland. These results provide the baseline data of Alimosho wet land soils for its management and sustainable agriculture.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"58 1","pages":"61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80976057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health Effects and Environmental issues in residents around Coal Fired Thermal Power Plant, Padubidri: A cross sectional study.","authors":"S. Adappa, R. Tiwari, R. Kamath, V. Guddattu","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170215104352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170215104352","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Coal based thermal power plants (CFTPP) have been found to deteriorate human health and environment by its releases. It can cause impact on air, water, soil. Thus the present study was undertaken to assess the health status of the residents and environmental conditions in the area in the vicinity of thermal power plant. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 408 residents in a 5 km radius around Padubidri thermal power plant. The information was gathered using interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire, measurement of peak expiratory flow rate using peak flow meter and environmental air monitoring using the Dust trak monitor. Results: It can be observed that majority of the subjects were in the age group ≥45years (50.7%) with the mean age of the participants being 43.08± 12.05 years. 82.8% were females and 17.2% were males. In a total of 408 study participants, 26.7% had cough, 16.7% had phlegm, 4.2% had wheeze, 6.6% had shortness of breath and 1.5 % had chest pain. 9.8% had allergic symptoms like sneezing, eye irritation and skin itching. Though the mean observed PEFR was lower in females, smokers, those residing very near to the plant, those with respiratory and allergic symptom. However, the difference was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The present study highlights the presence of health problems particularly respiratory and allergic symptoms among the residents in the vicinity of thermal power plant.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"102 1","pages":"8-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80524587","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON SOME COAGULATION PARAMETERS OF SMOKERS IN NNEWI METROPOLIS","authors":"O. Chizoba, Ekeanumba Hillary Ebuka","doi":"10.5455/jeos.20170113084303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/jeos.20170113084303","url":null,"abstract":"Background/Aim: Cigarette smoking has been shown to adversely affect coagulation parameters resulting in haemostatic complications. This was a case-control study designed to evaluate the coagulation profile of cigarette smokers in Nnewi metropolis. Method: A total of 116 subjects were recruited comprising 58 Cigarette smokers and 58 non-cigarette smokers. The age of the subjects, quantity of sticks per day and duration of smoking were obtained from the subjects using a questionnaire. Prothrombin time (PT) was estimated by the Calcium-thromboplastin method of Quick (1935), Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) by the method of Koepke (1986), platelet count was carried out by the routine ammonium oxalate method as described by Cheesbrough (2006) and fibrinogen level by Clauss method (1957). Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics committee of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Informed consent was obtained from the subjects before being recruited for the study. Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the mean values of PT and APTT of smokers were significantly prolonged compared to non-smokers (P","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"1 1","pages":"12-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83111731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health Risk Assessment of Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) considering Long-term trend of VOC","authors":"Philipp Opitz, S. Matysik, O. Herbarth","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170113084246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170113084246","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The indoor air quality is among other things determined by air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are associated with health effects. The severity of these health effects depends on the kind and part of the specific chemicals within the VOC group. Since the 90th the expected health risk has been evaluated by means of the VOC sum concentration under the assumption of a fixed composition with a clear defined part of every single VOC. The question is whether the VOC sum and whether the share of individual VOCs have been changed over the recent years. Methods: Indoor VOCs were measured within the frame of epidemiological studies from 1994 until 2008. Additionally, a large number of apartments were investigated depend on inquiries by physicians, health offices, or inhabitants in a period from 2009 to 2014. The human health risk was assessed both based on currently valid criteria and based on adapted criteria considering potential composition of the VOC pattern. Results: A substantial reduction in the sum of VOCs (about 60%) could be demonstrated caused by a clear decreasing trend of aromatics and alkanes. No such changes could be observed for cycloalkanes, chlorinated hydrocarbons and terpenes. The resulting pattern of VOC is quite different compared with the start situation in 1994. The part of terpenes at the VOC sum increased by two from approximately 25% (1994) to 55% (2014). Due to the decrease of the VOC sum, the human health risk might be underestimated if the VOC sum is the only criterion. Conclusions: Based on our findings special attention should be paid to groups of VOCs and/or single VOCs.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"69 1","pages":"34-39"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81396403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Body Site Distribution and Relative Tumor Density of Different Human Cutaneous Malignancies with Emphasis on Sunlight Exposure: A Single Institution Experience","authors":"V. Barto, Milada Kullová","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170416072408","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170416072408","url":null,"abstract":"Backround: Different skin cancer types display disparate body site distribution, particularly related to sunlight exposure pattern. We evaluated topographic distribution and relative tumor density (RTD) in a set of human cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases. Material and methods: A total of 186 MMs from 182 subjects, 1184 BCCs from 899 subjects, and 146 SCCs from 114 subjects were analyzed. Results: MMs occured most commonly on the trunk (46.8%) and upper limbs (25.3%). While the back, and the trunk in particular were sites with the most frequent MM development in males (64.3% and 45.9%), the upper limbs were the most common location in females (34.1%). BCCs and SCCs occured predominantly on the head and neck, comprising a total of 69.0% and 81.5% of the cases. The face was a region with by far the highest RTDs in BCC and SCC patients. Men had more frequently affected extra-facial sites of the head and neck compared to women in both, the BCC (46% vs 31.9%) and SCC (62.5% vs 48.3%) cases. In BCC, the second most frequent anatomic site included the back in both genders (25.1% in males, 18.2% in females), but in SCC, it represented the trunk as a whole in males (13.6%), and the lower limbs in females (14.3%). The greatest differences in RTDs between BCC and SCC were on the back (BCC:SCC ratio, 7.5:1), especially in men (BCC:SCC ratio, 9:1). Conclusion: We have observed striking heterogeneity for skin cancers risk by anatomic site with apparent gender-related disparities. Knowledge about spatial density and body site predilection of cutaneous malignancies may provide better insight into their pathogenesis and help to improve basic preventive strategies.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"359 1","pages":"40-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76397624","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mobile phones: carcinogenic and other potential risks","authors":"Sergei V. Jargin","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170609094703","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170609094703","url":null,"abstract":"The article by Lee at al. [1] contains no direct statements on the harm from radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). However, certain phrases may create an impression that the harm is probable, e.g., “Extensive use of mobile phones, even among children, has incited public concern regarding the possible negative effects on human health resulting from exposure to the RF-EMF radiation emitted by such devices” or in the conclusion section: “The issue of whether children are more sensitive to RF-EMF emitted from mobile phones has been a hot topic among many researchers over the past two decades [1].” These statements can be understood so as if “sensitivity” or “negative effects” would have been known facts. It should be commented that there is no consistent evidence that RF-EMF enhances cancer risk. The only recognized biological effect is heating, which for cell phones are negligible [2,3]. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity of RF-EMF, although there was a minority opinion in the IARC that the evidence in humans is inadequate [4,5]. Indeed, several epidemiological studies reported associations between RF-EMF and glioma, acoustic neuroma and other tumors [6-17]. Other studies did not confirm such associations [18-21] or even identified a reduced risk of brain tumors among mobile phone users (which the authors identified as probably due to selection bias and thus did not report a protective effect), although odds ratios for glioma tended to be greater in subjects who reported usual phone use on the same side of the head as their tumor than on the opposite side [18,20]. However, the ipsilateral effect found in low exposure groups suggested that cases might have over-reported the use on the side of the tumor [18]. According to the Scientific Committee on Emerging Newly Identified Health Risks, the epidemiological studies on mobile phone RF-EMF exposure do not show an overall increased risk of brain tumors [22]. A considerable number of well-performed in vivo studies have been negative [22]. Numerous in vitro studies have been negative as well, whereas the more research quality criteria were satisfied, the less cellular responses were observed [23]. Furthermore, a publication bias has been noticed, i.e. preferred publication of positive results [22]. The existing data were found to be not sufficiently strong to suggest that RF-EMF is directly genotoxic, while some of the reported “adverse effects” may be attributed to hyperthermia [4]. Biases are known to occur in the epidemiologic research (dose-dependent self-selection, recall bias, etc.,), for ionizing radiation discussed in Jargin’s study [24]. To confirm a cause-effect relationship, verification by reliable methods and understanding of the mode of action are needed [25]. No experimental findings can provide an explanation for supposed carcinogenicity of RF-EMF, thus no established biological or biophysical me","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"2015 1","pages":"58-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87119318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A study of airborne fungal allergens in sandstorm dust in Al-Zulfi, Central region of Saudi Arabia","authors":"R. Vijayakumar, M. S. A. Aboody, W. Alturaiki, S. Alsagaby, Tim Sandle","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170120094512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170120094512","url":null,"abstract":"Background The impact of sandstorm dust events on local air quality and public health are becoming a greater concern in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Among sandstorm dust particles, airborne fungal spores cause serious respiratory ailments to those who are exposed to the dust. Although the study of dust storm material has attracted research interest, little work has been carried out in Saudi Arabia and no major study has been conducted in the Al-Zulfi, Riyadh province region. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate airborne fungal allergen concentrations in sandstorm dust in the Al-Zulfi city, Saudi Arabia. Methods During the study period 12 sandstorm dust samples and 3 control samples were collected from various locations (educational campus, people gathering and recreational places) by gravitational plate exposure method using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Following incubation, the fungal colonies were identified by microscopic and morphological identification. Results A total of 2590 fungal isolates were identified among 36 exposures of sandstorm dust samples. From the samples dematiaceous fungi and hyaline fungi were observed, divided 56.2%, 43.8 % respectively. The incidences of predominant fungal genera were Fusarium (21%), Cladosporium (15.8%), Ulocladium (11.1%), Aspergillus (10.9%), and Alternaria (8.6%). Conclusion Our observations infer that some of the most important allergenic fungal spores are predominantly observed in sandstorm dust samples and incidences of dematiaceous fungi are higher than hyaline fungi. The present study highlights the need for precautionary safety measures to protect the public against sandstorm dust exposures.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"147 6 1","pages":"27-33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82451085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CHARACTERISTICS OF RUBELLA EPIDEMIC IN TUZLA CANTON","authors":"mubidin mujić, S. Čavaljuga, A. Čustović, Rahima Jahić, S. Ahmetagić","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170616084454","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170616084454","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Rubella is an infectious disease of viral etiology. It occurs in two forms, as postnatal rubella and congenital rubella. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the scope of the epidemic of rubella in Tuzla Canton (TK) in 2010, then the incidence of disease in certain segments of the population, spatial distribution and movement in time. Material and Methods: The target population of this retrospective study was people suffering from rubella in 2010 from the Tuzla Canton. Results and Discussion: From the topographical distribution of patients with rubella in Tuzla Canton there is a strikingly large difference in the number of affected municipalities. Temporal distribution of patients with rubella is congruent with the epidemiological characteristics of rubella in terms of reporting the same. Gender structure of patients showed significantly higher numbers in males with 437 patients (67.33%), while for women there were 212 cases (32.67%). According to the age structure, the majority of the persons infected were aged 15-19, 470 of them which makes 72.5% of the total number of patients. When it comes to the vaccination status of patients, 3.7% was fully vaccinated (got 2 doses of vaccine), 7.6% was incompletely vaccinated (got one dose of vaccine), 66.4% was unvaccinated and for 22.3% vaccine status is unknown.Conclusion: An outbreak of rubella in Tuzla Canton in 2010 and the emergence of a large number of people susceptible to rubella is a direct consequence of discontinuity of vaccination programs during the war from 1992 to 1995. Keywords: rubella, epidemic, Tuzla Canton","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"28 1","pages":"45-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77840004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary exposure and health risk assessment of toxic and essential metals in Plantain from selected communities in Rivers State, Nigeria.","authors":"K. Patrick-Iwuanyanwu, N. A. Udowelle","doi":"10.5455/JEOS.20170628102350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5455/JEOS.20170628102350","url":null,"abstract":"Aim: This study was carried out to assess the level of Lead, Cadmium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Cobalt, Manganese and Magnesium in plantain samples collected from ten selected communities in Rivers State with the aim of estimating the potential health risk of heavy metal exposure. Materials and Methods: The samples were washed, oven-dried, and digested using a mixture of Nitric acid and Perchloric acid at a volume ratio of 4:1 at 1500C for 4 hours. The samples were further analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Results: The concentration (mg/kg) range in decreasing order were Mg (285 - 525) > Fe (60 - 345) > Cu (56.9 – 74.8) > Zn (5.48 – 96.0) > Mn (0.48 – 5.23) > Pb (0.78 – 2.0) > Co (0.23 – 1.28) > Cd (0.16 – 0.72). The results from the study exceeded the permissible limit set by WHO/FAO. Wide range of variation was observed in the Estimated Daily Intake of metals when compared with the Tolerable Daily Intake of different regulatory bodies. The calculated estimated daily intake values for Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Co and Mg in samples from communities under study were highest in Etche, Nkpolu, Emuoha, Emuoha, Eleme, Eleme, Nkpolu and Rumuosi respectively. Target Hazard Quotient values greater than 1 was recorded in some samples under study indicating a health risk whereas the hazard index for plantain samples from all the communities under study was found to be >1. The average lifetime carcinogenic risk of Pb and Cd through the consumption of plantain from selected communities in Rivers State ranged between 2.9E-05 - 5.6E-05 and 2.2E-04 – 9.1E04 for Pb and Cd respectively. Conclusion: The overall study suggests that frequent consumption of plantain from these selected communities may cause potential health risk to the exposed population.","PeriodicalId":16086,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Environmental and Occupational Science","volume":"50 1","pages":"51-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76605870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}