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ABSTRACT
Crude acetylene fumes generated from Calcium carbide (CaC2) is still the most widely used source of acetylene gas for occupational gas welding and as an artificial fruit ripener despite numerous health warnings from the government and health groups. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of crude acetylene on heavy metals present in serum (Cr, Fe, Cd and Pb), haematological indices and histology of the lung tissues. This study was carried out on 20 adult male wistar rats which were divided into two groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 was considered as the control group and Group 2, the experimental group. The animals were subsequently exposed to crude acetylene fumes released from the dissolution of 20g of calcium carbide for 30 minutes daily for a period of 4 weeks. At the conclusion of the exposure, animals from each group were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for serum heavy metals and haematological analysis and tissues were harvested for histological studies and all data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results show increase in serum heavy metals (Cr, Fe and Cd) but no significant difference in Pb in comparison with the control group. Also, there was a decrease in percentage granulocytes and histological results show destruction of respiratory epithelium. Hence, exposure to crude acetylene fumes increases serum heavy metals and also result to destruction of the respiratory membrane. This is an indication that inhalation of crude acetylene fumes may be deleterious to human health
