Asian Science
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Abstract: Organic composition and toxicity of dusts collected in and around
Maiduguri metropolis were investigated. High performance liquid chromatographic
technique was used to determine the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons
(anthracene, naphthalene, benzene and pyridine) in the samples. Haematological
parameters, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Blood Cell counts (WBC), Haemoglobin
estimation (HB) and Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts were used as biomarkers
to identify possible toxic effects of exposure to dust samples. Low concentrations
(0.0157 ±0.002 and 0.0133 ±0.004 mg g-1) of anthracene
and naphthalene were measured on the dust samples while benzene and pyridine
were not detected. Intravenous and intratracheal administration of dust
decreased significantly (p<0.05) the RBC, Hb and PCV in goats when
compared to the control group. The values of WBC however increased when
dust was administered intratracheally and intravenously. The result obtained
do not suggest any evidence of substantial anthropogenic pollution of
this environment