IMPACT OF DUMPSITE SOIL SIMULATED LEACHATE ON HAEMATOLOGY AND HISTOPATHOLOGY OF SWISS ALBINO MICE (MUS MUSCULUS)

Abstract

Solid waste dumpsites/landfills are significant sources of emerging contaminants to terrestrial ecosystems. This study assessed the toxicological effect of exposure to leachate on mice body weight changes, relative organ weight, haematological parameters and histological biomarkers effects after oral administration with diluted Ajaokuta soil simulated leachate (15%–75%) for 28 days. Mice exposed exhibited significant decreases in body weight, percentage weight lost and significant decreases in relative organ weight in a dose dependent manner compared to controls, suggesting possible chemically induced metabolic disruptions. Haematological analysis showed significant alterations in red blood cell indices, haemoglobin concentration, and total leukocyte counts, reflecting impaired haematopoiesis and systemic toxicity. The pathological lesions also showed indirect tissue damage due to reactive oxygen species elicited by the landfill chemicals. This study shows that exposure to pollutants poses substantial risks to blood cell integrity, it also suggest potential health risk to residents within the vicinity of landfills. Hence the need for remediation measures to reduce health risks associated with pollutants from waste decomposition.