SERUM HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF ALBINO RATS EXPOSED TO BONNY LIGHT CRUDE OIL.

Inhabitants of crude oil producing Niger Delta region of Nigeria are constantly exposed to constituents of crude oil due to frequent oil spills in the area. Consistent dermal contact of humans and animals with crude oil may lead to absorption of toxic heavy metals in the crude oil into systemic circulation. The level of some heavy metals in Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) was evaluated using AAS. Sub-lethal doses of the BLCO were applied to shaved portion of the dorsal skin of treated male and female albino rats for 90 days while controls were similarly shaved without crude oil treatment. At 30 days intervals sets of rats were sacrificed and their blood collected for heavy metal analysis by AAS. The results showed that Cd, Pb, Ni, V and Cr were identified in the BLCO used at 0.15ppm, <0.05ppm, 3.34ppm, <0.10ppm and <0.01 ppm respectively. The analyzed serum heavy metal content showed that male albino rats had significant (p<0.05) increased levels of Ni, Cr, Pb and Cd at 30days post treatment and decreased levels at 90 days post treatment compared to controls, while female albino rats had significant (p<0.05) increased levels of Ni, Cr and Pb but significant (p<0.05) decreased level of Cd after 90 days treatment. These results suggest that the heavy metals in crude oil are being absorbed into the blood stream following consistent skin exposure to BLCO. This may lead to bioaccumulation of the heavy metals with possible systemic toxic effects like endocrine imbalance, organ dysfunction and hepatotoxicity.