ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH HAZARDS ON SOME SELECTED PRINTING INKS IN PRINTING VILLAGE KADUNA METROPOLIS, KADUNA

Abstract

This study examines the health hazards on certain printing inks used in Printing Village Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna, with the purpose of identifying potential harmful compounds in the inks which may posed risks to health by the usage of these inks. The findings of this study are based on Acute-Oral Toxicity test (OECD-425), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Microwave atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES AGILENT 4200), and Ultraviolet (UV) Characterization techniques and analysis carried out on the ink sample (A-H). The acute test was carry out using up and down method at the oral limit dose of 2000mg/kg of the ink samples which caused no death in the rats (mice).The FTIR  results obtained revealed the presence of the following  functional groups: N-H, C=O, N-O, C-H, C-N,C=C and O-H at different peaks (2922.2 Stretching, 1733.2 stretching, 1546.8 stretching, and 2855.1 stretching, respectively while the U. V Values of the same samples were found between the region of 380-850nm respectively. The Printing press Workers are exposed to a wide range of risks, including contact with inks containing hazardous materials, such as lead (PB), Chromium (Cr), and Nickel (Ni); contact with respiratory irritants; contact with carcinogens; and contact with irritants and allergens. The study also found that the workers are unable to adequately protect themselves from these health hazards due to a lack of proper safety equipment and safety training. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that Government regulatory bodies and Printing industries should take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of workers by providing them with proper safety measures, safety equipment, and safety training. In addition, the government should also increase the level of enforcement of safety regulations in order to ensure the protection of the health of workers in Printing Village Kaduna Metropolis.