Systemic Effects of Nigerian Bituminous Coal Fly Ash in Albino Rats: Serum Biochemistry and Histopathological Evaluation

In this study, the in vivo toxicity index of Nigerian bituminous coal fly ash prepared under a burning temperature of 900ºC was evaluated following oral administration to Albino rats. The effect of the sample prepared at this temperature was compared under various dose (100, 200 and 500 mg/kg body weight) concentrations and systematically relate the effect on the serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO-3) activity levels, the liver enzymes (ASAT, ALAT, SAP), Total bilirubin (TB), Total protein (TP) and Albumin (ALB) respectively. From the results, the fly ash was observed to induced significant alteration in the TB, TP and ALB concentrations in both study periods, with no apparent disturbances recorded in the liver enzymes and serum electrolyte concentrations when compared to the control. Furthermore, the fly ash was observed to profoundly induce pathological lesion in the lungs and the intestine, with mild histological changes observed in the liver and spleen. While, no significant changes observed in the kidney in the primary study, the fly ash in the secondary study was observed to induce tubular degeneration in the kidney. The results further showed that, the Nigerian bituminous coal fly ash, irrespective of the treatment groups demonstrated a time-dependent effects histologically and in serum biochemistry profiles. Thus, further confirmed that, the reactivity of the coal fly ash, though independent of the sampling dose might be attributed to the organic and inorganic constituents in the fly ash interacting with the rat’s normal metabolic pathways, initiating and triggering toxic-induced effects histological and physiologically. The results further provide us with additional information on the in vivo effects and susceptibility of Nigerian bituminous coal fly ash and the need to explore same for energy generation under control and regulated combustion processes.