Abstract

Global mortality and morbidity due to environmental pollution are on the increase, while a substantial proportion of the total burden of diseases has have also been linked to environmental factors among which is human exposure to toxic chemicals through anthropogenic activities. Quarrying is a form of mining activity with associated environmental and health consequences; the extraction processes cause the release of heavy metals into the air and groundwater of host communities. In this study, we investigate the impact of quarry activities on serum concentration of Arsenic, Copper, Manganese, and Zinc in volunteers from quarry host communities in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria was investigated. Forty-seven (47) participants were recruited from quarry host communities (exposed), while forty-seven (47) participants were recruited as controls (non-exposed). Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric measurements of selected metals were performed on Buck 210 VGP. Serum Copper, Manganese, and Zinc were significantly higher in exposed participants than in non-exposed participants (P < 0.001) which might be a consequence of the existence of quarry operational activities in the communities.