Abstract
In order to evaluate the potential harmful effects of gas flaring on mammals, albino mice, Mus musculus, were exposed to gas flares for 8 weeks under laboratory conditions. The effect of gas flaring on blood parameters includes a reduction in white blood cell counts among mice exposed to 8-h daily of gas flaring when compared to control mice. The red blood cells also showed varied abnormalities such as stacked erythrocytes (rouleaux formation), crenated (spicule) cells and teardrop cells (dacrocytes). The detection of the increasing level of eosinophils in the blood of mice exposed to gas flares was observed to be indicative of a degenerative disease condition and usefulness as a good marker of pollution for monitoring, and early detection of adverse effects of gas flares was recommended. Histopathological examination of the lungs of exposed mice revealed distortions in the segmental bronchus and alveoli of the respiratory organ, with interspersed brown pigments and polymorphonuclear cells, which were absent in the controls. The environmental implications including the health hazards posed by the exposure of mammals to gas flares in crude oil production areas were discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.References
Argo J (2001) Unhealthy effects of upstream oil and gas flaring. A report prepared for Save Our Seas and Shores (SOSS), for presentation before the public review commission into the effects of potential oil and gas exploration, drilling activities within licenses 2364, 2365, 2368, Sydney. p 38
Bandeira-Melo C, Bozza P, Weller P (2002) The cellular biology of eosinophil eicosanoid formation and function. J Allergy Clin Immunol 109(3):393–400
Friends of the Earth (FOE) (2004) Gas flaring in Nigeria. Media Briefing
Gleich G, Adolphson C (1986) The eosinophilic leukocyte: structure and function. Adv Immunol 39:177–253
Hoffman M, Blum A, Baruch R (2004) Leukocytes and coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis 17:1–6
Jarvis D, Chinn S, Stan J, Luczynska C, Burney P (1998) The association of respiratory symptoms and lung function with the use of gas for cooking. Eur Respir J 11:651–658
Jee SH, Park JY, Kim HS, Lee TY, Samet JM (2005) White blood cell count and risk for all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a cohort of Koreans. Am J Epidemiol 162(11):1062–1069
Kindzierski WD (2000) Importance of human environmental exposure to hazardous air pollutants from gas flares. Environ Rev 8:41–62
Kurosky A, Straub C, Pazdrak K, Young TW, Stafford SJ, Wu Z, Wiktorowicz JE, Haag AM, English RD, Soman KV (2009) Proteome analysis of the peripheral blood human eosinophil. J Allergy Clin Immunol 123(2) Supplement 1:S253
Morgan R, Costello R, Durcan N, Kingham P, Gleich G, McLean W, Walsh M (2005) Diverse effects of eosinophil cationic granule proteins on IMR-32 nerve cell signaling and survival. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 33(2):169–177
Nwabueze O (2000) Shell Petroleum Development Company proposed integrated waste management facility site at Umuakuru—Igbo Etche, National Environmental Protection Scientist Association of Nigeria (NEPSAN)’s view. A memorandum to Public Complaint and Petition Committee, Rivers State House of Assembly. p 5
Nwankwoala RNP, Georgewill OA (2006) Analysis of the occurrence of cancer and other tumors in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Nigeria from December 1997 to December 2000. Afr J Appl Zoo Environ Biol 8:48–53
Oruamabo RS (2005) The effects of environmental assaults on human physiology (2). Nig J Physiol Sci 20(2):11–18
Pocock SJ, Ashby D, Shaper AG (1989) Diurnal variations in serum biochemical and hematological measurements. J Clin Pathol 42:172–179
Rothenberg M, Hogan S (2006) The eosinophil. Annu Rev Immunol 24:147–174
Saito K, Nagata M, Kikuchi I, Sakamoto Y (2004) Leukotriene D4 and eosinophil transendothelial migration, superoxide generation, and degranulation via beta2 integrin. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 93(6):594–600
The Merk Vertinary (2008) Petroleum product poisoning. Merk and Co. Inc. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA, p 4
Venge P, Byström J, Carlson M, Hâkansson L, Karawacjzyk M, Peterson C, Sevéus L, Trulson A (1999) Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP): molecular and biological properties and the use of ECP as a marker of eosinophil activation in disease. Clin Exp Allergy 29(9):1172–1186
Xue-Jun Y (2002) Alteration of pulmonary immunity to Listeria monocytogenes by diesel exhaust particles (DEPs): effects of DEPs on early pulmonary responses. Environ Health Perspect 110:11–15
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Otitoloju, A., Dan-Patrick, J. Effects of gas flaring on blood parameters and respiratory system of laboratory mice, Mus musculus . Environmentalist 30, 340–346 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-010-9288-3
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-010-9288-3