ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN NIGERIA - HEALTH-ASPECTS

Blood lead levels were analysed and pulmonary function tests were perf ormed on Nigerian traffic wardens, comprising sixty from Lagos (ages 2 4-52 years; 27 +/- 6), thirteen from the sparsely populated university town of Ile-fe (ages 22-40 yers; 27 +/- 8) and a control group of twe nty-four subjects (age 19-55 years; 31 +/- 8). Perkin-Elmer Zeeman 303 0/HGA 600 AAS was used for blood analysis. The mean lead level in Lago s wardens was 18.1 +/- 6.4 mug/dl, which was significantly higher than the level of 10.2 +/- 2.7 mug/dl in Ife wardens and 12.9 +/- 7.0 mug/ dl obtained in the controls (P < 0.001). However, there was no signifi cant difference between the levels of blood lead in Ife traffic warden s and normal controls. Significant differences (P < 0.0005) in spirome tric measurements - peak flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) - were observed betwe en traffic wardens and control subjects. The noise levels measured alo ng traffic roads exceeded the threshold for hearing damage.