International Research Journal of Medical Sciences ____________________________________ ISSN 2320 –7353 Vol. 1(11), 9-16, December (2013) Int. Res. J. Medical Sci. International Science Congress Association 9 Impact of Prolonged Exposure to Oil and Gas Flares on Human Renal Functions Egwurugwu J.N. 1 , Nwafor A. 2 , Oluronfemi O.J. 2 , Iwuji S.C. 3 and Alagwu E.A. 1 1 Department of Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Imo State University, Owerri, NIGERIA 2 Department of Human Physiology, College Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, NIGERIA 3 Department of Biomedical Technology, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, NIGERIA Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 8 th October 2013, revised 25 th October 2013, accepted 27 th November 2013 Abstract This study evaluated the effects of prolonged exposure to oil and gas flares on the renal functions of some residents of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria in the vicinity of the oil and gas flares continually in the order of ten (10) years and above compared to the control subjects drawn from non oil and gas production environments. The subjects were matched for age, sex, educational status and socioeconomic status. Of the 3150 adult volunteers screened, 790 (475 exposed groups and 315 control groups) met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and analyzed for serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, potassium, uric acid and inorganic phosphate. The results showed that the exposed to environmental pollutants of oil and gas origins had statistically significantly increased serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, potassium, uric acid and inorganic phosphate compared with control (p<0.05). Our result suggests therefore that individuals exposed to chronic – low level of oil and gas flared associated-environments had raised levels of renal dysfunction biomarkers and thus are more predisposed to developing kidney diseases. Keywords: Prolonged exposure, gas flares, renal function, kidney disease, Niger Delta. Introduction The Niger Delta Region, in Southern Nigeria, is the center of oil and gas production and allied activities in Nigeria 1-2 and the richest part of Nigeria in terms of natural resources such as oil and gas deposits, extensive forests, suitable agricultural lands and abundant fish resources 2-3. It has the largest natural gas reserve in Africa, has the second largest oil reserve in Africa and is the African continents primary oil producer 4 . The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has about 606 oil fields with 355 situated onshore; 251 situated offshore with 5,284 drilled oil wells and 7,000km of oil and gas pipelines 5-6 . Furthermore, it has more than 123 flaring sites, thereby making Nigeria one of the highest emitter of green house gases in Africa 6. Exposure to hazardous chemicals, emissions and pollutants associated with oil and gas production is likely to be more in those that reside close to the facilities 8 . Flared gas is one of the generated wastes in the oil and gas industry that could be turned into wealth but allowed to not only waste but pose unquantifiable health, social, economic and cultural hazards to man. Gas Flaring is a common practice of burning off unwanted, flammable gases via combustion in an open atmosphere, non-premixed flame 9 . According to the World Bank 1 gas flaring is one anthropogenic activity, defined as the “wasteful emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that causes global warming, disequilibrium of the earth, unpredictable weather changes and major natural disasters because it emits a cocktail of benzene and other toxic substances that are harmful to humans, animals, plants and the entire physical environment” The reasons for continued gas flaring in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria include lack of necessary technology for gathering and conserving the gas flared, on the one hand, and market for the gas, on the other hand 9 . Others include lack of political will by the government and its agencies, lack of cohesion among the exposed citizens concerned, hence cant forge a common front to fight for their fundamental human rights. During gas flaring, complete combustion though rarely achieved, releases relatively innocuous gases such as carbon dioxide and water 11 whereas incomplete combustion emits various compounds such as methane, propane, and hazardous air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and soot 12 benzene, naphthalene, styrene, acetylene, fluoranthene, anthracene pyrene, xylene and ethylene 13 . Representatives of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during production, storage and transportation associated with the oil and gas industry are benzene and toluene 14 . These in particular, are hazardous due to their inherent toxicity in mammals and their wide use in industry and high volume of production lead to substantial environmental releases 15 . Flaring can also produce other pollutant emissions such as particulate matter (PM) in the form of soot or black carbon 9. Flaring can also produce soot and other pollutant species that have negative effects on air quality and the environment 16-18 . These volatile hydrocarbons, which can be absorbed into the blood via the respiratory tract, as well as through the food chain, 19 have various potential health effects 20 .