Exposure to Gas Flaring Among Residents of Oil-Producing Communities in Bayelsa State, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study of Haematological Indices

Domotimi James Jato, Felix M. Onyije (), Osaro O. Mgbere and Godwin Ovie Avwioro
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Domotimi James Jato: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island 560103, Nigeria
Felix M. Onyije: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island 560103, Nigeria
Osaro O. Mgbere: Institute of Community Health, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Godwin Ovie Avwioro: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Delta State University, Abraka 330106, Nigeria

J, 2024, vol. 7, issue 4, 1-10

Abstract: Air pollution contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality globally. The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria flares the second largest amount of natural gas in the world, with residents of oil-producing communities bearing the burden of outdoor pollution that may have adverse effects on their health and well-being. Our study aimed to investigate the haematological indices of residents of a selected gas-flaring site. We conducted a cross-sectional study, wherein a total of eighty adults aged 24 to 73 years were recruited from communities located within a radius of approximately 5 to 10 km from the gas-flaring facility. Blood specimens were collected from consenting participants and analysed for various haematological parameters, including Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (HB), Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH), platelet count (PLT), White Blood Cell (WBC) count, neutrophil (NEU), lymphocytes (LYMs), and Monocyte + Basophil + Eosinophil (MXD). The analysis was performed using an automated Sysmex KX21N haematological analyser. Overall, there was a significant decrease in RBC counts ( p < 0.001) and a significant elevation in WBCs ( p < 0.001) among people residing within a 5 km radius compared to those residing within a 10 km radius. About 42.5% of males residing within a 5 Km radius exhibited low RBC counts in contrast to only 15% of males residing within a 10 km radius. The WBC levels were found to be significantly higher ( p < 0.001) than the reference range among both males and females residing within a 5 km radius compared to those residing at a distance of 10 km. In the female population, 15% of individuals residing within a 5 km and 10 Km radius exhibited RBC levels below the reference category, while 7.5% showed RBC levels above the reference range. Exposure to gas flaring may alter haematological indices. It is, therefore, recommended that a comprehensive longitudinal study be conducted among residents of oil-producing communities and workers at gas-flaring facilities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria to assess the potential environmental and health implications of their exposure to chemical pollutants.

Keywords: gas flaring; haematological indices; malignancy; air pollution; Niger Delta region; Nigeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I1 I10 I12 I13 I14 I18 I19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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