The present investigation is an attempt to assess the contamination of heavy metals in the ground and surface water of the Singrauli industrial belt area. Pollution indices like heavy metal index (HPI), contamination index (CD) and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) are used for the evaluation of heavy metal pollution (arsenic As, mercury Hg, cadmium Cd, and lead Pb). Contour maps are constructed to interpret metal spatial distribution. Further, the land-use/land-cover (LULC) maps for the year 2000, 2010 and 2016 are prepared using Landsat satellite data. A total of 48 water samples (Groundwater (27), Surface water (21)) are analysed for heavy metal concentration. Eighty-eight percent of groundwater and 90% of surface water samples are contaminated with Hg. Similarly, high concentrations of Pb and Cd were found in the samples. Surprisingly, all the water samples have As concentration above the WHO permissible limit of 10 ppb. Further, 95% of the samples have an HPI value greater than 100 indicating high heavy metal contamination. CD value denotes contamination of 89% of the samples with heavy metals (As, Hg, Cd, Pb). Through spatial distribution, it can be interpreted that most of the contaminated samples lie near thermal power plants, ash ponds, and coal mines. LULC (land use/land cover) study shows a significant decrease in water bodies by (108 km2), agricultural land by (54 km2) and bare/fallow land by (51 km2) from 2000 to 2016. During these 16 years, there has been a fourfold increase in the overburden, a threefold increase in dumping yards, a 2.5 times increase in urban areas, and a twofold increase in mining areas. Both the environment and the water quality are deteriorating at an alarming rate. Such scientific investigations are relevant for risk management studies of potable water. The knowledge acquired from such assessment shall be considered with utmost priority by concerned authority considering degrading water quality in the study area. Hence, this study is applicable for designing action plans and control measures to reduce water resource pollution.
Rice, wheat, and maize grains are staple foods, widely consumed for their mineral and nutritional values. However, they can accumulate toxic elements from contaminated soils, posing health risks. This study investigates the bioaccumulation patterns of 52 elements (including nutrients, heavy metals, and rare earth elements) in various parts (grain, husk, straw, and root) of cereals grown in a heavily polluted region. The results revealed that rice grains exhibited a higher accumulation (Σ33.4 mg/kg) of toxic elements (As, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb) than wheat (Σ26.6 mg/kg) and maize (Σ16.2 mg/kg) grains, with the high-yield RI64 cultivar (Σ47.0 mg/kg) being the most susceptible. Across the rice plant, accumulation increased in the order of grain < husk < straw < root. Elements like P, K, Cu, and Zn showed the highest enrichment. Worryingly, the most toxic elements, such as As, Pb, and Cd, exceeded permissible limits across grains, straws, and husks. Health risk assessment indicated that wheat and maize pose greater non-cancer and cancer risks than rice. Despite being grown in a highly contaminated region, the study identifies some rice cultivars like Luchai and Sarna as relatively safer options due to a lower accumulation of toxic elements.
The magnitude of occupational lead exposure and its impact on liver functions was assessed in battery manufacture workers around Kolhapur (Maharashtra). Blood lead, urine lead, erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin, urine �-amino laevulinic acid and porphobilinogen levels were measured together with standard routine biochemical tests of liver functions in battery manufacture workers along with non-exposed controls subjects. Blood lead levels were considerably high in the workers (53.63 ± 16.98; range 25.8 – 78 �g/dl) compared to the controls (12.52 ± 4.08; range 2.8 – 22 �g/dl). The liver functions in these workers were normal, demonstrating preservation of hepatocellular and synthetic functions of liver. There was good correlation (r = 0.67) between blood lead and urinary �-amino laevulinic acid levels in the worker group and no such correlation was observed in case of the control group (r = 0.02). The results indicates that early screening and regular monitoring of industrial workers by urinary �-amino laevulinic acid levels is urgently needed to prevent long term adverse effects of lead exposure.
Studies on hazardous metals pollution through various processes of utilization of the Assam (India) coals suffer from the lack of reliable information on the level of trace and heavy metals in them. Four representative coal samples with high sulphur from Ledo, Tikak, Tipong and Baragolai collieries of Makum coalfield, Assam, India were studied for the occurrence of Al, Bi Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, and Zn by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) methods. Six of the metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Mn, Ni, and Pb) found to be present in low to moderate concentrations were identified as Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) in the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) USA. The concentration of Fe, Mg and Al was observed to be higher than the rest of the metals. Significant variation of these metal contents in the four coals samples was observed with no noteworthy statistical relationship with the ash and carbon contents of the coals. The concentrations of metals in the samples are within the average world coal range. It was also observed that there is no definite trend of metal concentration with reference to different collieries of Assam. The association of some metals in the coal matrix was also discussed. XRD and FT-IR patterns of the coals also supported the presence of these metals.
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Free radical generation appears to be the mode of lead toxicity.
We evaluated the effects of blood lead levels on oxidative stress parameters in children suffering from neurological disorders. Thirty children (aged 3–12 years) with neurological disorders (cerebral palsy [n = 12], seizures [n = 11], and encephalopathy [n = 7]) were recruited in the study group. Sixty healthy children (aged 3–12 years) from similar socio-economic environments and not suffering from any chronic disease were taken as the controls. Blood lead levels and oxidant/antioxidant status were determined.
Mean blood lead level was significantly higher while δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity, a biomarker for lead exposure, was significantly lower in the study group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05 for each). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, an end-product of lipid peroxidation, were significantly higher while the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly lower in the study group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05 for each). Activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were significantly higher in the study group than those of the control group (P < 0.05 for each). There were significant negative correlations of blood lead levels with δ-ALAD (r = −0.35; P < 0.05) and GSH (r = −0.31; P < 0.05), and positive correlations with MDA (r = 0.37; P < 0.05), SOD (r = 0.53; P < 0.05), and CAT (r = 0.31; P < 0.05). In turn, δ-ALAD had significant negative correlations with MDA (r = −0.29; P < 0.05), SOD (r = −0.28; P < 0.05) and CAT (r = −0.34; P < 0.05), but positive correlation with GSH (r = 0.32; P < 0.05).
Although a causal pathway can not be determined from the present study, our findings indicate lead-induced oxidative stress in blood of children with neurological disorders. Lead-induced oxidative stress as an underlying mechanism for neurological diseases in children warranted further investigation.
Introduction: Lead is a toxic element used commonly in many products like lead-acid batteries, paints, toys etc. Young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning because of higher absorption capacity in comparison of adults. Safe level of lead exposure has to be established yet. Literature suggests a threshold lead level of 20-40 µg/dL for a decrease in haemoglobin in children. Aim: To assess the correlation between Blood Lead Levels (BLL) and anaemia in children.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a Paediatric Tertiary Care Hospital of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India, during the period of May 2019 to September 2020. A 81 children between one to five years of age were included in study. Information was collected regarding general profile of the children and other parameters like socioeconomic status (Modified Kuppuswamy scale), history of pica, application of surma, type of toys used, scholastic performance and somatic symptoms. Routine blood investigations were done including Haemoglobin (Hb) and BLL through venous blood sampling. BLL were done at Defense Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) Gwalior. Data entry was done in Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0. Chi-square test with Yates correlation was applied and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 81 study subjects, 53 were males and 28 were females. Total 48 (59.2%) children had Hb <11 gm/dL, 42 (51.8%) children had BLL <5 µg/dL and 32 (39.5%) had BLL between 5-10 µg/dL. There were 9% children (n=7) with BLL more than 10 µg/dL and none beyond 15 µg/dL. In the children it was found to have BLL ≥5 µg/dL, 20 children had Hb levels between 7-11 gm/dL whereas 19 had Hb levels above 11 gm/ dL. No statistically significant association was found between the BLL and childhood anaemia.
Conclusion: This study did not show any relationship between BLL and Hb in children of age one to five years. Scarcity of diagnostic tools for detecting BLL and lack of public awareness regarding the probable sources of lead and its complications may result in missing the diagnosis.
The present research was to determine physicochemical properties and heavy metal analysis of Avalahalli lake. Study was conducted of November 2017 to March 2018. Avalahalli lake is highly contaminated with domestic sewage, solid wastes and highly toxic compounds generated from cement factory. Water samples were collected and studied for physicochemical properties and heavy metal analysis. The samples were analyzed for pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, Alkalinity, Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Nitrate, Phosphate, Fluoride, Sulphide, Chloride, Sulphate, Sodium, Potassium, TSS, Boron and heavy metals like Chromium, Lead, Copper, Iron, Nickel and Zinc by comparing the standard and reference range. The quality of water was extremely polluted and conservation strategies are most required.
Childhood lead exposure remains a key health concern for officials worldwide, contributing some 600,000 new cases of intellectually disabled children annually. Most children affected by high exposure to lead live in low- and middle-income countries. The leaded gasoline phase out in India was completed in 2000. Yet, in 2020, an estimated 275 million children aged 0 to 9 years had blood lead levels (BLLs) over 5 μg/dL known to adversely affect intelligence and behavior. Lead sources reported in India include spices, cookware, paint, traditional medicines and cosmetics, and lead-acid battery recycling and repair. However, their relative contribution has not been characterized. More than 200 lead pollution sites related to battery recycling and repair activities were identified in Bihar and Jharkhand, India. Ninety percent of the recycling sites had soil lead concentrations exceeding the US Environmental Protection Agency’s standards. We compared blood and environmental lead levels in two groups of children in Patna, Bihar. Households in proximity to battery recycling operations (Proximal n = 67) versus households distal to these operations (Distal n = 68). The average age of children was 40 months; 46% were female. Overall, the geometric mean (GM) BLL was 11.6 μg/dL. GM BLLs of children in Proximal and Distal households were not significantly different (10.2 μg/dL vs. 13.1 μg/dL respectively; p0.07). About 87% children, 56 Proximal and 62 Distal had BLLs >5 μg/dl. Lead concentrations in environmental samples were significantly higher in Proximal households (soil mean 9.8 vs. 1.6 μg/ft2; dust mean 52.9 vs. 29.9 μg/ft2 p<0.001; Proximal vs. Distal respectively) whereas concentrations in all spices were higher in Distal households (mean 46.8 vs 134.5 ppm p<0.001; Proximal vs. Distal respectively), and turmeric (mean 59.4 vs. 216.9 ppm Proximal vs. Distal respectively). In multivariate analyses for all children, lead in spices and turmeric and number of rooms in the house were significant while for the Proximal group only lead in spices remained in the model. The predictive value of these models was poor. For the Distal group, a model with lead concentration in spices, turmeric and soil and number of rooms in the house was a much better fit. Of the 34 water samples collected, 7 were above the Indian standard of 10 ppb for lead in drinking water (2 in the Proximal area, 5 in the Distal area). Children in Patna, Bihar, India are exposed to multiple sources of lead, with lead levels in house dust and loose, locally sourced spices the most likely to increase blood lead levels. A holistic approach to blood lead testing and source identification and remediation are necessary to prevent lead exposure
Blood samples collected from five different villages around a derelict Lead mine area of Sundargarh district of Odisha state, India, were analyzed by AAS for lead contents. The village Bharatpur is nearby to mining site and other villages are of 1km distance from each other in between 5km radius. The village Jhimirmaul is nearby to tailing dam and river Ichha nala, which is the main drainage system of the mine. A total of 363 blood samples were collected and IQ of each individual was analyzed using AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scale from the villages such as Bharatpur (BP), Sargipalli (SP), Jhargaon (JG), Jhimirimoul(JM), and Sribhubanpur (SB).Finally regression analysis between the two variables was made and obtained that IQ values are linear functions of Blood lead Concentration suggesting impact of Plumbism on Neural Coordination and Cognitive behavior.
Lead Tetroxide (Pb3O4, red lead) has been found as an adulterant in sindoor, known as vermillion, is a yellow, maroon, or crimson tiny particles used by Hindus for cultural as well as for religious reasons. Sindoor powder is frequently tinted with red lead to create a rich red color. While many individuals believe that cosmetics are pure, multiple studies have revealed that the majority of cosmetics include heavy metals and other toxins. The harmful health consequences of lead poisoning have been widely documented. A fast inspection or “search” method for provisional detection of powders was tested utilizing an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) lead paint commercially supplied testing kit for use by state health agencies. Field sampling methods, besides prediction values targeted at samples containing 3×105 µg/g lead have all been extensively altered. The above-mentioned measures were 100 percent in the samples containing 3×105 µg/g lead, although the Confidence Intervals (CIs) showed a wide variation. Also concentration of 5,110 µg/g was unable to be definitely identified using any field inspection method. Colorimetric and semi-quantitative XRF studies effectively identified lead in samples with higher Pb levels (>3×105 µg/g lead), but not in those with lower Pb levels. According to the results, health department inspectors cannot utilize screening kit as a fast field test for sindoor. In a word, these results emphasize the significance of sindoor threat monitoring.
Our study aimed at comparing lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels in capillary and venous blood samples in a small population and to employ an easier method of sample collection for a major screening program in school children in major Indian cities. An awareness program on lead and its effects was conducted in two different schools. A total of thirty urban school children from South India, with an age group between 4 – 12 years consented for dual blood sampling and reported for the study. Venous and capillary blood samples were obtained simultaneously. Blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels were estimated using ESA Lead Analyzer and Haematofluorometer respectively. A significant correlation between capillary and venous ZPP (r = 0.98) and lead (r = 0.99) was observed. Rank sum test showed that there is no statistically significant difference between capillary and venous ZPP (P= 0.891) and lead ( P = 0.672) values. This pilot study recommends that screening for lead may be done using capillary blood samples since significant correlation is observed between capillary and venous blood measurements. Obtaining samples using this mode is a non-invasive, less expensive, quick and easy method in children. Appropriately performed capillary sampling may be considered as an acceptable alternative to venipuncture for screening of blood for lead poisoning both in children and adults.
Street dust of Korba, Chhattisgarh, an urban industrial hub in one of India’s major coal mining areas, has been analysed for profiling and sourcing of Pb and other potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Lead isotopic ratio of dust, coal, diesel, fly ash and human blood of Korba is being reported for the first time in this study. The mean concentrations (in mg/kg) of Al, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were higher than World Background soil and Reference soil USA values and decreased in the order of Al (17000) > Fe (7550) > Mn (2740) > Cr (833) > Ni (571) > Zn (231) > Cu (152) > V (145) > Pb (98.6) > U (7.9) > Cd (1.34). About 25% of the sampled dust had Pb Igeo belonging to class IV category of heavy contamination. Dust from industrial areas was highly enriched with Cr, Cu, Pb and Mn, while those from coal mining areas had high mean V concentration. Principal component analysis extracted Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb and U with the highest loading factors in Component 1 indicative of their lithogenic and anthropogenic sources. The lead isotopic ratios of the dust, coal, diesel, fly ash and eight human blood samples clustered linearly in the 207Pb/204Pb vs 208Pb/204Pb and 206Pb/204Pb vs 208Pb/204Pb plots. Airborne lead deposition from diesel-based traffic exhausts and fly ash contributed to the human blood lead level besides coal mining activities. Geospatially, while Pb was mainly concentrated in the residential, industrialand coal-mining areas, Zn and Mn were mainly distributed in the roadside areas of industrial centres.
The present study deals with the status of serum lead (Pb) level among preschool children in Bhubaneswar Block, Odisha by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) anatytical methodology. Among the study population, 20.1% chiidren were detected with lead in their serum with mean lead level 0.29 t 0.66 ppm.The study shows that this area is not contaminated with lead above normal level but lead contamination has started affecting. So precaution should be taken to make the area lead free for fufure generation.
Background: Lead toxicity is a significant environmental hazard and has widespread ill effects on human body. In this study we detected the lead exposure by measuring urinary delta aminolevulinic acid levels. The activity of delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase enzyme is inhibited significantly by lead, which leads to an increase in urinary δ- ALA excretion. Hence we can use estimation of urinary δ-ALA levels as a surrogate marker of lead exposure in pottery workers.
Aim: To estimate the urinary delta aminolevulinic acid levels in pottery workers as an index of lead exposure.
Materials and Methods: The study was done on 85 pottery workers of age group between 18 to 50 years with their brief history related to lead exposure. Their urine samples were analysed for δ-ALA by Ehrlich method.
Results: According to our observation, it was found that out of 85 urine samples; 58 samples showed increased urinary δ-ALA levels (68.23%).
Conclusion: We conclude that the prevalence of lead exposure in pottery workers in Mumbai is very high. Good hygienic practices and necessary precautions should be followed to avoid its ill effects on human body.
Indian cat fish Clarias batrachus, Linn. was treated with various concentrations of Lead acetate for 48 hrs . The LC50 determined by straight line graphical interpolation method was found to be 500ppm.The plot obtained is called as “Concentration- response relationship” curve. Similarly, the LT50 of various concentrations were determined by “time-response relationship” curve and found to be 45 days for 25 ppm, 40 days for 50 ppm, 37 days for 75 ppm, 35 days for 100 ppm, 30 days for 125 ppm, 28 days for 150 ppm and 150 days for 15 ppm.. The behavioural changes observed in the experiment includes hyper activity, loss of balance, vertical and downward swimming pattern, frequent surfacing activity convulsion, difficulty in breathing and mucus secretion over the body. No behavioural changes or death were observed in the control group during the experiment. The results of the study showed that, acute lead toxicity severely affects the normal behaviour and results in death.
The Subarnarekha river passes through the major mining sites of coal, radioactive Uranium, heavy metals like Copper, Iron Aluminum etc.and the main industrial areas in Jharkhand. The tailings and slag deposits near the river stretch contaminates the water body with heavy metals and this poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of the river and also to the human population residing nearby. The heavy metals do not degrade naturally and result in bioacumulation into the various food chains. Thus periodic assessment of these pollutants is necessary so that timely measures can be taken by the government and industries to ensure that the so-called ‘lifeline’ of Jharkhand, the Subarnarekha river does not become toxic and a curse for the environment and thus, mankind.
