Industrial and urban development are contributing to an increase in global environmental degradation. Therefore, the release of heavy metals from mining-related operations into surface water is harmful to human health. But as anthropogenic influences on the environment grow, surface water characteristics are also alter, impacting aquatic creatures. In order to analyze the acceptability of the surface water in the gold mining area for drinking and irrigation uses, different quality water assessment methodologies were incorporated in this research. In light of this, the purpose of the current study is to comprehend how the hydrogeochemistry and appropriateness of surface water for drinking and irrigation vary every month. The study employed standardized analytical techniques. According to APHA recommendations, all sampling, conservation, transportation, and analysis were completed (2012). All collected samples were transported to the study lab while being kept in an icebox to prevent the degradation of the organic components. As a result, the study is focused on the contamination level in the surface water for a year. Overall, the study highlights important pollutants impacting surface water quality as it passes through Osun State's gold mining regions. Finally, it has been determined that the following criteria are crucial for the stretch of this research season: DO, Hardness, Turbidity, Chloride, Potassium, Nitrate, Lead, TSS, Cadmium, Chromium, Sulphate, Manganese, Mercury, and Arsenic. Most of the physicochemical variables examined in this study fell within their corresponding standard limits. Based on the results of this study, the appropriate constituted authority is encouraged to continuously monitor and assess surface water quality suitability for drinking, domestic, and irrigation purposes by keeping track of the effects of water contaminants and detecting any changes in the water quality. To safeguard and maintain groundwater quality and public health, it is advised that appropriate regulatory policies and water treatment procedures be employed in the area. Additionally, it is proposed that when enhancing water quality and investigating the sustainable use of water resources, surface water pollution should be taken into consideration.

Background. Urbanization, industrialization and changes in consumption patterns have compounded the problem of solid waste management in Nigeria. Poor waste management threatens the well-being and health of the local population, particularly those living adjacent to dumpsites. Objectives. An assessment of the impact of dumpsites in a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria was carried out to determine the level of biophysical/chemical parameters (pH, temperature, conductivity, nutrients (calcium and magnesium), heavy metals (lead, chromium, zinc), and microbial burden) on the quality of soil and groundwater and their impact on health and the environment. Methods. Soil and ground water samples were collected in four different dumpsites (Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Azhatta) with reference samples taken from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and taken to the laboratory for biophysical/chemical analysis using standard methods. Results. The results were compared with the national an...

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented several organizations with the opportunity to review their operational strategies, as well as the existing safety climate within their establishments. The healthcare sector is not an exception, especially those in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), where most safety systems are not robust when compared with developed countries. The study aim is to assess the occupational safety climate among healthcare workers (HCWs) in LMICs using Nigeria as a case study. A cross-sectional study was adopted to measure safety climate perception among professionals working in healthcare establishment during the COVID-19 pandemic using a validated Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50). At the end of the survey period, 83% (433) of the responses were adjudged to have met the threshold criteria and were used to inform the study outcome. Worker safety commitment within the healthcare facilities (M = 3.01, SD = 0.42) was statistically significantly higher than management safety priority, commitment, and competence (M = 2.91, SD = 0.46), t(130.52), p < 0.001. A significant effect of the management role was found in regards to management safety priority, commitment, and competence (F(1, 406) = 3.99, p = 0.046, η² = 0.010). On the contrary, the managerial position does not have a significant effect on worker safety commitment (F(1, 417) = 0.59, p = 0.440, η² = 0.001). The outcome from the study showed that, where there is active promotion of a positive safety climate in healthcare sectors in LMICs, employees are more likely to engage in positive safety behaviour. To help address the identified gaps, there is the need for more effort to be made towards promoting an effective and positive safety climate across the establishment, including management and healthcare worker commitments.

Scavengers, due to the nature of their work, are at risk of various occupational hazards while sorting for materials for recycling and sale. They are exposed to blood borne infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from injuries from sharps and contact with discarded materials due to non-compliance with standard precautions. The present study assessed the prevalence of HBV and compliance with safety precautions among scavengers in Ilorin Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 236 scavengers (comprised of scavengers dealing with biomedical wastes and those that were not) using structured questionnaires during the first stage of the study and a second testing stage. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0 for descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of significance. The prevalence of HBV infection among the scavengers was found to be 17.4%, indicating that scavengers are at high risk of HBV infection. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of HBV among scavengers that handled biomedical wastes and those that did not. The majority of the scavengers (74.2%) did not have knowledge of or use standard precautions such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The level of injuries was considerably high and the treatment of injuries among scavengers illustrated their lack of awareness of the hazards involved in their occupations, as the majority of respondents (51.3%) engaged in self-treatment of occupational injuries. The probable pathway for virus transmission was waste handling, especially biomedical waste, which is mostly handled with bare hands without standard safety precautions. Vaccination against HBV, proper personal hygiene practices, regular training in occupational safety, monitoring by regulatory agencies and inclusion of scavengers in a mandatory health insurance scheme are recommended to control the risk of HBV infection among scavengers. Obtained. This study was approved by the Kwara State Ministry of Health Ethical Review Committee. Permission was also granted by the scrap dealers association through the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency that oversees issues relating to the environment and public health in the state. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Background A crucial issue directly affecting the wellbeing of the human race is water quality. Within a few decades, a greater reliance on groundwater was needed to supply water for drinking, agriculture, and other uses due to the scarcity and contamination of surface water. To forecast its long-term use and increase output, irrigated agriculture requires high-quality water, which must be measured. Objective The goals of the current study are to comprehend the hydro-geochemistry, drinking water appropriateness, and occurrence of hydro-geochemistry concepts in the groundwater of the gold mining regions of Osun State, South-West Nigeria. Method Standardized analytical methods were used in the research. All sampling, conservation, transportation, and analysis were carried out in accordance with APHA guidelines (2012). To prevent deterioration of the organic compounds, all acquired samples were sent to research laboratory, while maintaining in an icebox. Results The study also identifies critical pollutants, affecting the ground water quality within its course through the gold mining areas of Osun State. Finally, Colour, pH, DO, EC, TDS, TSS, TS, Hardness, Magnesium, Nitrate, Phosphate, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Manganese, Mercury and Arsenic have been found to be critical parameters for the stretch in each season of this research. Conclusion The authors advise developing ongoing systems for monitoring water quality as well as efficient management techniques to prevent excessive groundwater pollution. These findings will therefore aid decision-makers in managing pollution in Osun State’s gold mining zones and better understanding the impact of different seasons on water quality. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for the future monitoring of the effects of anthropogenic activities on local watercourses when mining companies are developed. This requires consideration in terms of both regulatory measures and proactive initiatives for addressing the ensuing issues in the future. In order to maintain sustainability, a long-term monitoring plan is suggested in this study to be implemented into the groundwater bodies to restore their quality.

The objective of this work is to determine the concentration of the identified pesticide in grains commonly used by farmers, and which are available directly from the open markets in the Nigerian market. Pesticide residues were quantified through a multiresidue method using a varian 3800/4000 Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS). The simultaneous measurement of four classes of pesticides by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) approach using sample preparation on QuEChERS-citrate, was developed and validated. The results frequently showed high specific contamination, which makes sense given the target market and dietary diversity in the area. This study found that grains purchased from particular markets in southwest Nigeria contained numerous pesticide residues. The MRLs set by the EU or FAO/WHO or both were surpassed by 17 out of the total 27 pesticides reported in this work in at least one grain, despite the fact that there were no published codex MRLs for some pesticide residues in some grains. These residues were classified among the four pesticides classes: carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorines, and pyrethroids. In actuality, 90% of the mainly banned organochlorine pesticides exceeded MRLs. Thus, this study revealed higher concentration levels of organo-chloride pesticides and organo-phosphate pesticides in grain samples drawn from selected markets in southwest Nigeria. Consumers seeking high-quality food in Nigeria should take note of these facts.