Prolonged Exposure to Oil and Gas Flares Ups the Risks for Hypertension

Abstract

This study was done to assess the impacts of prolonged exposure to oil/gas flares on blood pressure measures in humans in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. The study was carried out among chronically exposed residents (475) and non-exposed individuals (315). All the subjects were matched for age, sex, occupation, education. Blood pressure was measured with manual mercury sphygmomanometer in sitting position after at least 10 minutes rest. The results showed that the test group subjects had statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP) and mean arterial blood pressure(MAP) compared with the control(p<0.05). The males had higher prevalence of high blood pressure than the females (p<0.05). Results also showed that the blood pressure measures increased with age. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to oil/gas flares increased the incidence of hypertension and this may increase the risks for cardiovascular diseases.