Faculty
Department
Year of Publication
upload
Publication Type
Abstract
The Niger Delta region, located in the Atlantic coast of southern Nigeria is an area covering
about 70000km2 (27000 square miles). More than 25% of Nigeria’s population inhabit this
region profoundly rich in petroleum resources- crude oil, natural gas, asphalt and tar. Exploration and exploitation of these petroleum resources have downgraded the diversified
environment of the region whose consequence is pollution due to 4200 oil spillages and 250
gas flaring sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of petroleum exploration
and exploitation induced air, soil and water pollution on the eyes of the inhabitants of the
Ogbite community in Rivers state of the region. This research is a cross sectional
investigative study which investigated petroleum explorative and exploitational processes
producing hazardous chemicals induced oculovisual perturbations. With a sample size of 115
respondents, data collected were subjected to statistical package for social sciences (SPSS)
version 22.0 to highlight compromises of the oculovisual tissues of the Ogbite community. Descriptive statistics were presented in the form of pie chart tables, bar charts and graphs. The relationship between petroleum pollution and consequences on the eye were explored
using Pearson’s chi-square test and statistical relevance of P<0.05. The findings indicated
huge external adnexia perturbations, indicating compromise of the oculovisual tissues of the
people of Ogbite Community which included visual perceptual description, external
examinations, internal examination, signs and symptoms presented and environmental impact
assessment of water and soil. Visual acuity at distance showed 54 (47%) + 2.836 from 6/24 to
no light perception while 61 (53%) + 2.901 had visual acuity of 6/5 to 6/18. For near v.a N5- N10 had 61(53%) and N12-N24 had 19 (16.5%) and 28(24.35%). were uncooperative Visual
perceptual description showed: blur vision 48 respondents (41.74%) + 2.121, cloudy/hazy
vision 15 (12.18%) + 0.726 and 50 (43.37%) + 2.025 had normal vision. External
examinations had pterygium 20(17.4%) + 2.121 red eyes/ redness 16(13.90%) + 1.41. The
total number of respondent with external problems were 60(52.17%) which included
penguecula, conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer and chalazion. Internal
examination indicated cloudy/opaque media 19(16.52%)+2.038, age related macular
degeneration 19(16.52%) +2.038. Signs and symptoms presented include: tearing 35(30.43%)
+ 2.076, foreign body sensation 30 (26.09%) + 2.037, pain 30(26.09% + 2.037), itching 25
(21.74%) + 0.707 and headache 19 (16.52%) + 0.508. For water samples, RV1 had high iron, 0.353 + 0.104mg/L, Zinc 0.150 + 0.048mg/L, Cadmium 0.011 + 0.004mg/L and Lead 0.17 + 0.005mg/L. Egbem 2 had high COD 23.3 +
8.02mg/L, salinilty 52 + 0.023mg/L, TDS 57.3 + 25.7mg/L and Cl 88.6 + 30.26 mg/L. For
soil samples, SSC2 had high EC 1118.0 + 507.4mg/k, Cl 1173 + 800.1 mg/k and SSS had
high Fe 156.02 + 65.76 mg/K, Zinc 104.30 + 41.67mg/k, Cu 56.30 + 22.499 mg/k. The
chemical analysis of the soil and water samples indicated changes from normal especially the
heavy metals and other parameters for assessment of samples. From the findings, the
oculovisual systems of some of the people of Ogbite have been compromised by crude oil
and gas exploration and exploitation and the consequences of these are the manifestation of
increased internal and external eye problems.
about 70000km2 (27000 square miles). More than 25% of Nigeria’s population inhabit this
region profoundly rich in petroleum resources- crude oil, natural gas, asphalt and tar. Exploration and exploitation of these petroleum resources have downgraded the diversified
environment of the region whose consequence is pollution due to 4200 oil spillages and 250
gas flaring sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of petroleum exploration
and exploitation induced air, soil and water pollution on the eyes of the inhabitants of the
Ogbite community in Rivers state of the region. This research is a cross sectional
investigative study which investigated petroleum explorative and exploitational processes
producing hazardous chemicals induced oculovisual perturbations. With a sample size of 115
respondents, data collected were subjected to statistical package for social sciences (SPSS)
version 22.0 to highlight compromises of the oculovisual tissues of the Ogbite community. Descriptive statistics were presented in the form of pie chart tables, bar charts and graphs. The relationship between petroleum pollution and consequences on the eye were explored
using Pearson’s chi-square test and statistical relevance of P<0.05. The findings indicated
huge external adnexia perturbations, indicating compromise of the oculovisual tissues of the
people of Ogbite Community which included visual perceptual description, external
examinations, internal examination, signs and symptoms presented and environmental impact
assessment of water and soil. Visual acuity at distance showed 54 (47%) + 2.836 from 6/24 to
no light perception while 61 (53%) + 2.901 had visual acuity of 6/5 to 6/18. For near v.a N5- N10 had 61(53%) and N12-N24 had 19 (16.5%) and 28(24.35%). were uncooperative Visual
perceptual description showed: blur vision 48 respondents (41.74%) + 2.121, cloudy/hazy
vision 15 (12.18%) + 0.726 and 50 (43.37%) + 2.025 had normal vision. External
examinations had pterygium 20(17.4%) + 2.121 red eyes/ redness 16(13.90%) + 1.41. The
total number of respondent with external problems were 60(52.17%) which included
penguecula, conjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, corneal ulcer and chalazion. Internal
examination indicated cloudy/opaque media 19(16.52%)+2.038, age related macular
degeneration 19(16.52%) +2.038. Signs and symptoms presented include: tearing 35(30.43%)
+ 2.076, foreign body sensation 30 (26.09%) + 2.037, pain 30(26.09% + 2.037), itching 25
(21.74%) + 0.707 and headache 19 (16.52%) + 0.508. For water samples, RV1 had high iron, 0.353 + 0.104mg/L, Zinc 0.150 + 0.048mg/L, Cadmium 0.011 + 0.004mg/L and Lead 0.17 + 0.005mg/L. Egbem 2 had high COD 23.3 +
8.02mg/L, salinilty 52 + 0.023mg/L, TDS 57.3 + 25.7mg/L and Cl 88.6 + 30.26 mg/L. For
soil samples, SSC2 had high EC 1118.0 + 507.4mg/k, Cl 1173 + 800.1 mg/k and SSS had
high Fe 156.02 + 65.76 mg/K, Zinc 104.30 + 41.67mg/k, Cu 56.30 + 22.499 mg/k. The
chemical analysis of the soil and water samples indicated changes from normal especially the
heavy metals and other parameters for assessment of samples. From the findings, the
oculovisual systems of some of the people of Ogbite have been compromised by crude oil
and gas exploration and exploitation and the consequences of these are the manifestation of
increased internal and external eye problems.
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