The volume of electronic waste (e-waste) received in Nigeria is reportedly on the increase and the effects on environmental health are yet to be fully ascertained. This study aimed to investigate haematological indices, lead and serum iron levels in workers occupationally exposed to electronic wastes in South-South, Nigeria. In this pilot study, 104 participants were enrolled from Benin City, South-South Nigeria; consisting of 63 E-waste Workers (EW) sex- and aged-matched with 41 Unexposed Participants (Control). Blood levels (5 mL) of the metals (lead and iron) were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry while the haematological parameters [white blood cells (WBC), Lymphocytes ( LY); monocytes (MO), granulocytes(GR), red blood cells (RBC), haemoglobin (Hgb), haematocrit (HCT), mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelets (PLT)] were determined using standard methods. Results obtained from this study show a significantly low serum iron (11.5 ± 2.14 µg/dL) in the EW compared with Control (168.9 ± 2.39 µg/dL); while blood lead level in EW (1.07±0.02 µg/dL) was significantly elevated compared with Control (0.72 ± 0.12). Total WBC and RBC, HCT, MO and MCV were all significantly elevated in EW compared with Control while LY and PLT in the EW were significantly decreased compared with Control. This study concludes that chronic occupational e-waste exposure may increase blood lead level, lower serum iron status and may have adversely altered some important haematological parameters in the studied population.

Drugs of abuse are prescription, over-the-counter, or other forms of drugs that are often used for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. The abuse of illicit drugs (for example cocaine, heroin, and codeine) poses a serious threat to public health, not to mention a great challenge to the health care system. It is important to review the techniques used in detecting these drugs of abuse to stay ahead of this growing global drug problem. This review aims to give an overview of known clinical laboratory techniques used in detecting some common drugs of abuse that could serve as an integral part of determining the presence of these drugs in bodily fluids and samples. Relevant literature was reviewed in various search engines (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Bing). Findings showed that some of the current clinical laboratory techniques for detecting and quantifying drugs of abuse include Microcrystalline tests, thin-layer chromatography, colourimetric tests, immunoassays, urine dipstick tests, and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Apart from these known techniques, new and emerging techniques are being validated to serve as additions to these already existing techniques and be used in clinical settings. In conclusion, the burden of drug abuse is on the rise and becoming a public health concern. There should be an ever-increasing interest in developing new analytical methodologies not only to detect but also to quantify drugs of abuse which may be applied in a plethora of areas including clinical settings.Some of the outlined techniques are highly priced and for cost ineffectiveness, they may be difficult to afford and sustain in resource-restraint settings like developing nations. Hence, grants and laboratory infrastructural support may be needed from international donor agencies.

Laboratories generate various forms of wastes which contribute to a complex network of profound and multifaceted environmental challenges and associated public health issues if not properly managed.Traditional laboratory practices particularly in developing countries, often lead to excessive waste generation, chemical contamination and resource depletion, coupled with inefficient waste management which poses risks to both ecosystem and public health. As the environmental impact of laboratory waste escalates, the need for effective waste management becomes increasingly important and urgent for safeguarding environmental health. This review examines the impact of laboratory waste management practices on environmental health and explores sustainable laboratory medicine as a mitigating response. Sustainable laboratory medicine adopts practices such as green laboratory principles involving waste minimization, resource conservation, the use of eco-friendly materials as well as energy-efficient protocols and innovative waste segregation and treatment technologies. This approach complies with regulatory standards as well as emphasizes proactive orientation towards environmental stewardship, operational efficiency and innovation while maintaining scientific integrity. Sustainable laboratory medicine appears to be a crucial framework that mitigates the environmental health impacts associated with laboratory-derived waste. This review advocates for a paradigm shift towards sustainable laboratory operations and emphasizes the need for comprehensive training, institutional commitment, and regulatory support.

This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) (stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine) on serum lipids of HIV-1 positive subjects in Benin City, Nigeria. Test group 1 (n=78) and test group 2 (n= 71) comprised HIV- 1 seropositive individuals on HAART for a period of one to three months; and five to six months respectively. Fifty five newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive subjects naïve to HAART served as control group 1 and sixty apparently healthy HIV-1 seronegative individuals served as control group 2. The blood samples obtained were analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein using standard enzymatic methods. Total cholesterol of test group 2 (214.0±6.43mg/dL) was not significantly different from Test group 1 (202.4±5.09mg/dL), both were however significantly higher than control group 1 (159.3±5.09mg/dL) and control group 2 (101.6±3.76 mg/dL). Triglyceride concentration of test group 2 (106.6+11.95mg/dL) was not significantly different from test group 1 (135.8+9.88mg/dL), but were significantly different from control groups 1 and 2 (125.1+3.35mg/dL and 104.6+3.08mg/dL) respectively. Dyslipidemia could set in from 1 to 6 months of HAART usage in HIV-1 Positive subjects hence serum lipids should be monitored as early as one month of HAART commencement. Keywords: Dyslipidemia, HIV chemotherapy (HAART), Lipid profile, HIV

The process of bronze casting often leads to prolonged exposure to air pollutants, heavy metals, and potentially hazardous working conditions. Understanding the levels of antioxidant vitamins among the Benin bronze casters is vital because their exposure to environmental pollutants and potential occupational hazards may increase their oxidative stress levels. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the levels of antioxidant vitamins; A, C, and E in Benin bronze casters. A total of ninety (90) consenting participants were recruited for this study; They included foundry workers (bronze casters), randomly selected individuals around the foundry site (environmental), and healthy unexposed individuals (control). Vitamins A, C, and E levels were determined using pectrophotometry. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The findings revealed that vitamin A levels were significantly lower in bronze casters (36.06±9.15) when compared to environmental (58.57±41.05) and control groups (62.61±51.12) (p<0.05). Vitamin C levels were significantly lower in bronze casters (0.53±0.14) when compared to the environmental group (1.02±0.53) and the control group (1.55±0.37) (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant reduction in vitamin C levels in the environmental group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Vitamin E levels were significantly lower in bronze casters (5.14±1.92) and environmental (6.28±3.32) groups when compared to the control group (11.49±3.75) (p<0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between vitamin A and vitamin C (r=-0.589, p=0.001). Vitamin C showed a strong positive correlation with vitamin E levels (r=0.562, p=0.001). In conclusion, the lower vitamin levels suggest an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress, which occupational hazards and environmental factors, such as exposure to metal toxins and pollutants may exacerbate.