Health Risk Assesment of Air Emitting from Different Abattoirs in Akure Metropolis of Ondo State, Nigeria

The burden of diseases can be greatly reduced by reducing air pollution which is one of the greatest risks to health in our environments. The study assessed the different types of micro-organisms present in a major and minor abattoir in Akure metropolis of Ondo state, Nigeria and their sensitivity to Antibiotics. Pre-tested questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic information, how the environment of the abattoir is sanitized and diseases likely to be contacted from the workers working in the abattoirs. Different levels of occurrence of isolates were observed in the major and minor abattoirs and the total count was done with the total bacteria counts ranging from lowest to highest. The total count for Escherichia coli range from 3.6×10 cfu/ml to 6.5 ×10 cfu/ml, while the total bacteria count ranged from 1.34×10 cfu/ml to 2.55×10 cfu/ml, also total coliform ranged from 2.8×10 cfu/ml to 4.1×10 cfu/ml at the major abattoir. The total count for Escherichia coli range from 5.7×10 cfu/ml to 7.2×10 cfu/ml, while the total bacteria count range from 5.2×10 cfu/ml to 1.56×10 cfu/ml, also total coliform ranged from 3.4×10 cfu/ml to 4.3×10 cfu/ml at the minor abattoir. During gram staining test it was observed that three out of the eight organisms namely, Micrococcus luteus, bacillus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, were gram positive, while Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes and Aeromonas sppwere gram negative. Antibiotic sensitivity was carried out on each of the isolates. Ciprofloxacin antibiotic had inhibitory effect on both grampositive bacteria with the highest effect on Staphylococcus aureus at 24mm and gram negative bacteria with highest result on Escherichia coli at 21mm. Therefore, there is presence of pathogenic micro-organisms especially Escherichia coli in the air environment of the abattoirs. Conclusively, there is need for routine environment sanitation of these slaughter houses because inhalation of air from these abattoirs can constitute a great environmental menace to the workers and residents around the area where they are situated, resulting in health complications to those with existing health challenges.