251 babies were tested at 15 months and 24 months to study the burden and associated risk factors for elevated blood lead levels in urban Vellore, and to study its effects on child cognition and anemia.
Around 45% of children at 15 months and 46.4% at 24 months had elevated blood lead levels (>10 μg/dL). Among children who had elevated blood lead levels at 15 months, 69.2% (45/65) continued to have elevated levels at 24 months. After adjusting for potential confounders, children from houses having a piped drinking water supply and houses with mud or clay floors were at significantly higher risk of having elevated blood lead levels at 15 months. Thirty one percent (21/67) of the children with elevated blood lead levels had poor cognitive scores. Children with elevated blood lead levels at 15 months had higher risk (Adjusted OR 1.80; 95% CI 0.80–3.99) of having poorer cognitive scores at 24 months. More than half of the children (57%) were anemic at 15 months of age, and elevated blood lead levels were not significantly associated with anemia.
Elevated blood lead levels are common among preschool children living in urban slums of Vellore. Poorer conditions of the living environment are associated with elevated lead levels.
Children are more susceptible to lead (Pb) toxicity than adults as exposures to environmental pollutants during windows of developmental vulnerability in early life can cause disease and death in infancy and childhood.
Objective:The current study aims to assess lead exposure in children in the industrial belt of Jharsuguda.
Materials and Methods: This observational study with a comparator group was conducted between May 2019 to April 2020. This study assessed the BLLs of a cohort of 251 children attending the pediatrics outpatient department in Government medical, Jharsuguda, and 175 comparators within the age group 1 to 13 years. Experimental subjects from medical records were analyzed through a complete screening, demography, and health examination. For industrial exposure analysis, contaminants in soil samples collected from 9 sampling sites and BLL were analyzed by AAS and US EPA methods. It will assist in policy making regarding safe disposal of lead and prepare strategy for better health and sanitation for the local community. Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, Odds ratio (OR) and Pearson correlation coefficient were used.
Results: Analysis of 251 study participants revealed males (157 / 62.5%) dominated over females (94 / 37.5%) with M: F 1.6:1. A statistically significant association was found between anemia and the study group (OR with 95% CI: 3.49, 2.32, 5.26; p < 0.001); good negative correlation (‘r’- 0.616, p < 0.001) was found between blood lead and soil lead levels. The highest concentration of lead (Pb) was observed at wastewater irrigated sites during the post-monsoon period than monsoon and lowest in the pre-monsoon period (p < 0.001). Conclusion:
Childhood lead poisoning accounts for a substantial burden in Jharsuguda resulting in various health impacts that can be prevented.
The study investigates lead poisoning around a lead mine in Odisha. Blood Lead Levels (PbB) and Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin (EP) were analyzed in males of different age groups living at varying distances from the mine. PbB and EP levels increased with proximity to the mine, with PbB levels exceeding recommended limits for children within a 1 km radius. The study highlights significant toxic effects of lead exposure, particularly on hem synthesis, and provides evidence of a correlation between PbB and EP levels.
A geochemical study of the trace metals and lead isotopic ratios of soil and sediments in Korba, Chhattisgarh, India is presented here for the first time. Korba, the nation’s ‘power hub’ is also the fifth among its eighty-eight most critically polluted industrial hotspots. A very high mean concentration (in mg kg-1) of V (308), Cr (567), Mn (3442), Co (92), Cu (218), Zn (426), Pb (311), Th (123) and U (32) characterized the sediments of the studied area with mean Igeo values of the trace metals ranging from −2.29 to 3.27. In the two-ratio scatter Pb isotope plot of the different environmental matrices, except for human blood, coal, soil, sediments, non-washed leaves, flyash and diesel overlapped linearly in the mixing line between diesel as the highest anthropogenic end member and a core sediment fraction representing its geogenic counterpart. The mean 207Pb/206Pb Pb ratio decreased in the order of diesel (0.9012) > flyash (0.8757) > coal (0.8498) soils and sediments (0.8374) > lowest core sediment fraction (0.8017). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the trace metal data extracted V, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, U and Th in the first component PC1. The northeastern part of the study area revealed major hotspots of V, Cu, Co, Zn and Pb near the flyash dykes of the power stations. Human blood used as a biomarker for Pb pollution in this study had a mean blood lead level of 28 μg/dl with a distinctive high 207Pb/206Pb ratio of 0.8828.
Groundwater chemistry of mining region of East Singhbhum district having complex contaminant sources were investigated based on heavy metals loads and other hydrochemical constituents. This study aimed to identify the degree of heavy metals exposure and their potential health risk to local population. The results of hydrochemical analysis showed that Na+, K+, and Ca2+ ions are the dominant cations in the groundwater, while HCO3−, F− and Cl− ions dominate the anionic part of the groundwater. The weathering process was considered the dominant factor to determine the major ionic composition in the study area. Compositional analysis for heavy metal has identified that groundwater of the study area is contaminated by Cd, Pb and Cr elements. Source of these metals have been identified as an anthropogenic inputs from mining activities and mineral processing units. Health risk analysis of individual heavy metal for chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) was found in the order of Cr > As > Cd > Pb which is indicating high health risk for the population. In addition, Hazard Index (HI) analysis for heavy metals was found significantly high (>1) which is considered as a threat for human population because they have the tendency to accumulate in the body and cause variety of diseases like kidney problem, dysfunction of liver and renal cortex as well as cancer.
Heavy metal contamination of the groundwater in Guwahati city was assessed for their Cd, Pb, Fe and As contents. 27 groundwater samples were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the levels of the four heavy metals were compared to the WHO specified maximum contaminant levels. According to WHO, the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Cd is 0.003 mg/L, while for Pb and As are both 0.01 mg/L (or 10 mg/L), and for Fe permissible limit is 0.3 mg/L. From the results obtained, it was found that out of the 81.48% samples where Cd was present, all of them had Cd content above MCL. Out of the 100% samples where Pb was present, only 22.22%samples had Pb content just within MCL in the wet season, and only 7.4% within MCL in the dry season. Only one sample had Pb content below MCL in the dry season. 62.96% samples had Fe content above the WHO permissible limit in wet season, while 92.59% had it above the limit in dry season. Out of the 70.37% samples that had As content presentin wet season and 81.48% in dry season, all of the values were found to be below MCL in both seas
The study of heavy metal (HMs) contamination of environment is of great interest due to their serious health hazard. In this work, the contamination of tree leaves with the HMs in the most polluted industrial city, Korba, India is described. The leaves of common trees i.e. Azadirachta indica, Butea monosperma, Eucalyptus, Ficus religiosa, Mangifera indica and Tectona grandis were selected for assessment of the HMs contamination as bioindicator. The elevated concentration of HMs (i.e. As, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg) in the tree leaves was observed, ranging from 2.8 – 43, 728 – 5182, 8.6 – 49, 48 – 1196, 43 – 406, 79 – 360, 1.12 – 1.65, 1.6 – 16.4 and 0.13 – 0.76 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration, enrichment and sources of the HMs in the leaves are described. Azadirachta indica leaves, accumulating higher concentration of the HMs, showed a higher efficiency as bioindicator for the urban pollution.
Peri-urban lands are often used for production of vegetables for better market accessibility and higher prices. But most of these lands are contaminated with heavy metals through industrial effluents, sewage and sludge, and vehicular emission. Vegetables grown in such lands, therefore, are likely to be contaminated with heavy metals and unsafe for consumption. Samples of vegetables i.e., spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.); soil and irrigation water were collected from 5 peri-urban sites of New Delhi to monitor their heavy metal loads. While heavy metal load of the soils were below the maximum allowable limit prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), it was higher in irrigation water and vegetable samples. The spinach and okra samples showed Zn, Pb and Cd levels higher than the WHO limits. The levels of Cu, however, were at their safe limits. Metal contamination was higher in spinach than in okra. Spatial variability of metal contamination was also observed in the study. Bio-availability of metals present in soil showed a positive relationship with their total content and organic matter content of soil but no relationship was observed with soil pH. Washing of vegetables with clean water was a very effective and easy way of decontaminating the metal pollution as it reduced the contamination by 75 to 100%.
This study was carried to investigate the contamination levels of heavy in food crops (rice, wheat, maize, and pulses) grown in the vicinity of the mica mine in Jharkhand, India. Except for Pb and Zn in select places, the metal concentrations in the food crops were below the maximum allowed levels for food in India. The principal component analysis identified three components that accounted for 71.3 % of the variability in the data. The components that were retrieved indicated that soil, irrigation water, and air dust deposition could be the sources of metals in the food crops. The estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of food crop consumption were used to highlight the potential health concerns associated with metal exposure. In several samples, local individuals’ daily intakes of Pb was greater than the WHO’s recommended daily intakes of these heavy metals. Taking into account the geometric mean of metal concentrations in food crops samples from the, the hazard index (HI) for the consumers was 10.28 which is far above unity. Pb, Co, and As were the primary contributors to the potential non-carcinogenic risk. The HI ranged from 7.22 to 18.29 across different locations, indicating a significant health risk to the consumers of locally grown food crops in the vicinity of the mica mining areas.
The study investigated the immunosuppressive effects of lead toxicity on the freshwater walking catfish. The authors observed that lead (plumbism) exposure significantly impairs the fish’s immune system.
A Common Indian cat fish, Clarias batrachus Linneaus was treated with Lead Acetate for sub-acute and chronic exposure to the xenobiotic. The sub acute study included 3 days and 7 days exposure to different concentrations of lead acetate, while chronic study included exposure to 15 ppm lead acetate for 105 days. In all the cases tissues from Gills, Bones, Liver, Blood, Kidneys, Muscles, Skin and GI tract were removed and analyzed by AAS to find lead accumulation. The Bio-Concentration Factor (BCF) was calculated .The BCF varies from organ to organ. Additionally , X-rays photography was made on the chronic treated fishes from time to time, to see whether skeletal tissue is a target of the heavy metal or not. The Co-relation Co-efficient ( r’) in these tissues between Lead treatment and Lead accumulation was found to be highly significant suggesting it both as a dose-dependent and time-dependent process.
High concentrations of lead and cadmium are reported for the first time in the groundwaters of Visakhapatnam area, attributable to increased human activities and lack of environmental protection. It suggests an urgent need for remedial measures to overcome future health hazards in this area.
We provide an annual bovine lead exposure estimate for India utilizing random forest modeling, PureEarth’s Toxic Sites Identification Program database, and the FAO’s Gridded Livestock dataset. In aggregate, India suffered 3,273 bovine fatalities, $ 21,437,575 of economic damages, and 23.1 km2 of lethally contaminated land across 222 used lead acid battery recycling sites. This implies per-site averages of 14.7 fatalities, $ 96,566 in economic damages, and 0.10 km2 of lethally contaminated land. Without remediation efforts, damages are likely to repeat every year. While this is a conservative estimate, the identified per-site damages indicate an unrecognized severe burden on the rural poor.
Lead and its compounds are used in paints not only to impart colour but also to make it durable, corrosion resistant and to improve drying. Adverse health impacts of lead especially on children have led countries to restrict or ban its use in paints. While U.S. and other developed countries instituted measures to limit the use of lead in paints, some developing countries including India have failed to regulate their lead content. The present study was undertaken to determine the levels of lead in new latex (water-based) and enamel paints (oil-based) intended for residential use in India. A total of 69 paint samples (38 latex and 31 enamel samples) from six of the most popular brands were analysed for lead concentrations.While all latex paint samples contained low levels of lead, (i.e., well below 600 ppm as regulated by United States’ Consumer Products Safety Commission) the enamel paint samples of all but one brand contained significant concentrations of lead, ranging up to 140,000 ppm. In fact 84% of the enamel paints tested exceeded 600 ppm whereas only 38 % of all samples (including latex and enamel types) exceeded this regulatory level.
This study evaluates lead pollution in Central India, focusing on industrial and vehicular sources. Analytical methods like XRF, PIXE, and AAS were used to assess lead levels in various environmental matrices.
Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal with wide applications in many fields, because of its broad range of industrial usage. It is also a common occupational and industrial hazard throughout the world. The toxicity of Pb remains a matter of public health concern, and the awareness about its toxic effects at exposure levels has gained a lot of importance over recent years. There has been a growing interest in monitoring heavy metal contamination in spices. The present study has been conducted to determine the concentration of Pb in eleven commonly used spices available in local Indian markets. The samples have been processed, digested and finally analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The levels of Pb in most spices were found to be within acceptable reference limits with the exception of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, fenugreek, and ginger. In 20 gm of each of these spices the Pb level was found above the maximum permissible limit (MPL) as proposed by WHO/FAO and US, FDA. Generally, most of the spices available in the market are safe for human consumption, as far as Pb poisoning is concerned, in the amount of 20 gm. But excessive consumption, in concentrated form, is inadvisable over a long period of time, as it has potential to cause harmful accumulation of Pb in the body. As for cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, fenugreek, and ginger, the daily consumption level should be curtailed to avoid long term health hazards due to Pb poisoning.
