Toxico-pathological effects of heavy metals from industrial drainage wastewater on vital organs of small ruminants in Lahore

Considering one health concept, human health is thought to be affected by many factors. Heavy metal toxicity is now gaining its place as one of the major factors contributing to detrimental outcomes for human health. The study encompassed to target sites close to the industrial area of Lahore where heavy metal levels are believed to be higher, as industrial waste is drained into the two main drains. Sheep and goats ( n = 5 from each species) reared in the locality were included in the study, and effects of heavy metal toxicity were evaluated in the selected organs (intestine, kidneys, liver, and muscles) via histopathological examination along with residual concentration of these heavy metals in the aforementioned organs. Heavy metals chromium, copper, zinc, lead, iron, magnesium, manganese, and nickel were detected in sample of selected organs by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) along with digestion method. The findings of the study indicated a statistically significant difference of residual concentrations of almost all the selected elements in almost all the tissue samples between the two sites where the values of site 1 (close to the drain) were higher compared with site 2 (away from the drain). Similar trend was depicted in histopathological examination where a higher degree of tissue degeneration, necrosis, and hence organ damage was observed in tissue samples collected from site 1 compared with site 2.