Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) is one of the most and important trace metals which can be present in two oxidation states: Toxic Cr(VI) and non-toxic (Cr III). Cr(III) is an important microelement for plant and animal nutrition and essentials for the maintenance of glucose as well as for the lipid and protein metabolism. With regard to human health, Cr(III) is a required nutrient, with 50-200 μ g per day recommended for adults. On the contrary, Cr(VI) is toxic and carcinogenic, leading to lung cancer, skin allergy and probably also to asthma and renal diseases. A toxic effect for the biological systems is attributed to the ability of Cr(VI) to migrate across the cell membrane, thus enhancing the intracellular chromium concentration. Hexavalent chromium is rarely found in nature and is generally man-made, especially in fumes generated during the ferrochrome production. The permissible exposure limit (PEL) of chromium in air is 5 μg m-3 measured as Cr(VI). The dust with Cr(VI) could be a source of contamination of medicinal plants. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the concentration of Cr(VI) in the environment, to determine the risk of Cr(VI) to human health, not only from air breathing, but from the dust which settles on agricultural products grown in vicinity of chromium smelters and when into medicinal plants. For these studies, the samples of industrial dust, soil, bark of trees and medicinal plantssamples were collected in the vicinity of chromium smelters and from local market. All measurements were carried out using a Perkin Elmer atomic absorption spectrometer model AAnalyst 600 with Zeeman background correction.

Biography

Owolabi I A is currently writing his dissertation for awarding of MSc degree in Chemistry from Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa and working on the project titled Speciation of Chromium and Vanadium in Medicinal Plants from Selected Farms in the Vicinity of Ferrochrome and Vanadium mine. He is also working in the Chemistry department of the above mentioned institutions as Assistance Lecturer and Lab Assistance.