Effect of diethyl phthalate and lead leached from PVC water pipes in densely populated neighborhood of Lagos on Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: This study investigates the possibility of PVC pipes leaching into municipal water and the effects of the amount leachates such as diethyl phthalates and lead on liver and kidney of Wistar rats.

Methods: Water samples were collected from two separate PVC pipes distributing water aged 10 and 2 years respectively from two households in Akoka, Yaba area of Lagos State. Sixteen Wistar rats each (sex ratio 1:1) were orally administered 0.079mg/L of lead, 0.57μl/L of diethyl phthalate and a mixture of lead and diethyl phthalate using the same dosage in water. For control, Sixteen Wistar rats with the same sex ratio were orally administered deionized water. Using the Dunnett's multiple comparisons test,  control population were compare with treated population for the third and sixth week, the results showed a significant difference between the treatments and control model animal (P <0.05).  

Results: Water analysis showed higher concentration of lead (0.079mg/L) and diethyl phthalate (0.57μl/L) in the 10-year-old pipe than the 2-year-old pipe with 0.069mg/L and 0.034μl/L of lead and diethyl phthalate, respectively. The level of phthalate was 17 times higher in old pipes than the new ones. Blood biochemistry and hematology analyzed. Histopathological studies done on the liver and kidney of the rats. The levels of aspartate transferase (AST) (129±2mg/dL), protein (90.67±1.53mg/dL), total bilirubin (44.33±1.15mg/dL), and globulin (54.33±1.15mg/dL) in the serum were highest in rats which suggest hyper-toxicity and possible organ failure.

Conclusion: Liver and kidney problem in Nigeria might connected with drinking water contaminated with PVC pipes leachates.

Keywords: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), lead, diethyl phthalates, drinking water, leachates