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Kumar D, Awasthi S, Mahdi AA, Singh S, Pandey AK, Agarwal GG, Anish TS, A R S, Kar S, Nair S, Mathew JL, Bhat MA, Mahanta BN, Singh K, Singh CM. Assessment of Blood Lead Level of School Children in 10 Cities of India: A Cross-Sectional Study. Indian J Pediatr 2023:10.1007/s12098-023-04864-7. [PMID: 37919485 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-023-04864-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the blood lead level (BLL) of school children in 10 cities of India. METHODS This multi-centric cross-sectional study enrolled participants from randomly selected schools. Data on demographic details, socioeconomic status (SES) and anthropometric indicators was collected. Samples were collected for assessment of lead level in blood. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry technique was used to assess BLL. RESULTS From April 2019 through February 2020, 2247 participants were recruited from sixty schools (62.6% government schools) with equal gender distribution. The overall median (interquartile range) BLL was 8.8 (4.8, 16.4) µg/dl. The highest median (interquartile range) BLL was in Manipal 30.6 (23.0, 46.7) and lowest in Dibrugarh 4.8 (3.2, 7.0). Overall, 82.5% of participants had BLL above ≤4 µg/dl. Significant negative correlation was observed between BLL and SES (correlation= -0.24, p <0.001), anthropometric indicators (correlation= -0.11, p <0.001), hemoglobin level (correlation= -0.045, p = 0.03) and multivariate regression model showed association with gender, SES and anthropometric indicators. CONCLUSIONS BLL are elevated in urban school going children and there is intercity variation. Hence, urgent focus is needed to reduce exposure to lead in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divas Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shally Awasthi
- Department of Pediatrics, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Abbas Ali Mahdi
- Department of Biochemistry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shweta Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anuj Kumar Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Girdhar G Agarwal
- Department of Statistics, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Somashekar A R
- Department of Pediatrics, M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Sonali Kar
- Department of Community Medicine, Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India
| | - Suma Nair
- School of Public Health, DY Patil Deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Joseph L Mathew
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chandigarh, India
| | - Mushtaq A Bhat
- Department of Pediatrics, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - B N Mahanta
- Department of Medicine, Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, India
| | - Kuldeep Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - C M Singh
- Department of Community & Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
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Navarro-Tapia E, Serra-Delgado M, Fernández-López L, Meseguer-Gilabert M, Falcón M, Sebastiani G, Sailer S, Garcia-Algar O, Andreu-Fernández V. Toxic Elements in Traditional Kohl-Based Eye Cosmetics in Spanish and German Markets. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:6109. [PMID: 34198922 PMCID: PMC8201171 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Kohl is a traditional cosmetic widely used in Asia and Africa. In recent years, demand for kohl-based eyelids and lipsticks has increased in Europe, linked to migratory phenomena of populations from these continents. Although the European legislation prohibits the use of heavy metals in cosmetics due to the harmful effects to human health, particularly to pregnant women and children, these elements are still present in certain products. The European Union recommended levels are Pb < 20 ppm, As < 5 ppm, Cd < 5 ppm, Sb < 100 ppm, and Ni < 200 ppm. In Germany, levels are more restrictive: Pb < 2 ppm, As < 0.5 ppm, Cd < 0.1 ppm, Sb < 0.5 ppm, and Ni < 10 ppm. Here, we analyzed 12 kohl-based cosmetics in different presentations (powder, paste, and pencil) that were purchased in Spanish and German local shops. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer was used to identify toxic elements and heavy metals. Levels of Pb ranged between 1.7 and 410,000 ppm in six of the study samples, four of which had levels above the recommended limit of at least two heavy metals. Arsenic (a carcinogenic element) values were within the range allowed by the EU in only 58% of the studied samples. Moreover, two products doubled this limit, reaching levels of 9.2 and 12.6 ppm. In one of the products, cadmium, related to toxic keratitis, was four times higher (20.7 ppm) than that allowed, while in two other products, these limits were doubled (11.8 and 12.7 ppm). Our results indicate the need to supervise the manufacture of kohl-based traditional products and the analysis of their composition prior distribution in European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabet Navarro-Tapia
- Grup de Recerca Infancia i Entorn (GRIE), Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.N.-T.); (G.S.); (S.S.); (O.G.-A.)
- Department of Health, Valencian International University (VIU), 46002 Valencia, Spain
- Maternal & Child Health and Development Research Network-Red SAMID Health Research, Programa RETICS, Health Research Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Mariona Serra-Delgado
- Maternal & Child Health and Development Research Network-Red SAMID Health Research, Programa RETICS, Health Research Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Lucía Fernández-López
- Departamento de Ciencias Sociosanitarias, Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Murcia, 30003 Murcia, Spain; (L.F.-L.); (M.M.-G.); (M.F.)
| | - Montserrat Meseguer-Gilabert
- Departamento de Ciencias Sociosanitarias, Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Murcia, 30003 Murcia, Spain; (L.F.-L.); (M.M.-G.); (M.F.)
| | - María Falcón
- Departamento de Ciencias Sociosanitarias, Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Murcia, 30003 Murcia, Spain; (L.F.-L.); (M.M.-G.); (M.F.)
| | - Giorgia Sebastiani
- Grup de Recerca Infancia i Entorn (GRIE), Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.N.-T.); (G.S.); (S.S.); (O.G.-A.)
- Department of Neonatology, Hospital Clínic-Maternitat, ICGON, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sebastian Sailer
- Grup de Recerca Infancia i Entorn (GRIE), Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.N.-T.); (G.S.); (S.S.); (O.G.-A.)
- Department of Neonatology, Hospital Clínic-Maternitat, ICGON, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Garcia-Algar
- Grup de Recerca Infancia i Entorn (GRIE), Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.N.-T.); (G.S.); (S.S.); (O.G.-A.)
- Maternal & Child Health and Development Research Network-Red SAMID Health Research, Programa RETICS, Health Research Institute Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Department of Neonatology, Hospital Clínic-Maternitat, ICGON, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (BCNatal), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vicente Andreu-Fernández
- Grup de Recerca Infancia i Entorn (GRIE), Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (E.N.-T.); (G.S.); (S.S.); (O.G.-A.)
- Department of Health, Valencian International University (VIU), 46002 Valencia, Spain
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Singh P, Tiwari D, Mishra M, Kumar D. Molecular Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Cancer Progression. NETWORKING OF MUTAGENS IN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-96511-6_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Bede-Ojimadu O, Amadi CN, Orisakwe OE. Blood Lead Levels in Women of Child-Bearing Age in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review. Front Public Health 2018; 6:367. [PMID: 30619808 PMCID: PMC6305709 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper reported available studies on blood lead level of childbearing age in Sub-Saharan African women. PubMed and Google scholar databases were searched for original articles reporting blood lead levels of women of childbearing age in Sub-Saharan Africa. Searches were not limited to year of study but limited to studies published in English Language. Data were extracted and synthesized by estimating the weighted mean of the reported blood lead levels. Fifteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Mean blood lead levels of women in the studies ranged from 0.83 to 99 μg/dl. The overall weighted mean of blood lead levels was 24.73 μg/dl. The weighted mean from analyses of data on blood lead levels of pregnant women alone was 26.24 μg/dl. Identified sources of lead exposure included lead mine, informal lead-acid battery recycling, leaded gasoline and piped water. Elevated BLLs were associated with incidence of preeclampsia, hypertension, and malaria. Important contributing factors for elevated blood lead levels (BLL) in these women include poverty, high environmental lead burden, low awareness on lead exposure hazards and lack of regulation for lead in consumer products. BLLs of women of childbearing age in SSA are unacceptably high. There is need therefore, for aggressive programs to address lead exposure in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onyinyechi Bede-Ojimadu
- Department of Chemical pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
| | - Cecilia Nwadiuto Amadi
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
| | - Orish Ebere Orisakwe
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Port-Harcourt, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
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Ericson B, Dowling R, Dey S, Caravanos J, Mishra N, Fisher S, Ramirez M, Sharma P, McCartor A, Guin P, Taylor MP, Fuller R. A meta-analysis of blood lead levels in India and the attributable burden of disease. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 121:461-470. [PMID: 30273869 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies in India have found elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in target populations. However the data have not yet been evaluated to understand population-wide exposure levels. We used arithmetic mean blood lead data published from 2010 to 2018 on Indian populations to calculate the average BLLs for multiple subgroups. We then calculated the attributable disease burden in IQ decrement and Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Our Pubmed search yielded 1066 articles. Of these, 31 studies representing the BLLs of 5472 people in 9 states met our study criteria. Evaluating these, we found a mean BLL of 6.86 μg/dL (95% CI: 4.38-9.35) in children and 7.52 μg/dL (95% CI: 5.28-9.76) in non-occupationally exposed adults. We calculated that these exposures resulted in 4.9 million DALYs (95% CI: 3.9-5.6) in the states we evaluated. Population-wide BLLs in India remain elevated despite regulatory action to eliminate leaded petrol, the most significant historical source. The estimated attributable disease burden is larger than previously calculated, particularly with regard to associated intellectual disability outcomes in children. Larger population-wide BLL studies are required to inform future calculations. Policy responses need to be developed to mitigate the worst exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bret Ericson
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA; Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.
| | - Russell Dowling
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Subhojit Dey
- Indian Institute of Public Health, Plot No. 47, Sector 44, Institutional Area Gurgaon, 122002 Delhi, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Jack Caravanos
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA; College of Global Public Health, New York University, 41 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Navya Mishra
- Public Health Foundation of India, Plot No. 47, Sector 44, Institutional Area Gurgaon, 122002, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Samantha Fisher
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Myla Ramirez
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Promila Sharma
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Andrew McCartor
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA
| | - Pradeep Guin
- Jindal School of Government and Public Policy, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat Narela Road, Sonipat 131001, Haryana, India
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Richard Fuller
- Pure Earth, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 860, New York, NY 10025, USA
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Pfadenhauer LM, Burns J, Rohwer A, Rehfuess EA. A protocol for a systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to reduce exposure to lead through consumer products and drinking water. Syst Rev 2014; 3:36. [PMID: 24731516 PMCID: PMC4049510 DOI: 10.1186/2046-4053-3-36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The toxic heavy metal lead continues to be a leading environmental risk factor, with the number of attributable deaths having doubled between 1990 and 2010. Although major sources of lead exposure, in particular lead in petrol, have been significantly reduced in recent decades, lead is still used in a wide range of processes and objects, with developing countries disproportionally affected. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of regulatory, environmental and educational interventions for reducing blood lead levels and associated health outcomes in children, pregnant women and the general population. METHODS/DESIGN The databases MEDLINE, Embase and the Global Health Library (GHL) will be searched using a sensitive search strategy. Studies in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian or Afrikaans will be screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We will consider randomized and non-randomized studies accepted by the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) Group, as well as additional non-randomized studies. Screening of titles and abstracts will be performed by one author. Full texts of potentially relevant studies will be independently assessed for eligibility by two authors. A single author will extract data, with a second reviewer checking the extraction form. Risk of bias will be assessed by two researchers using the Graphical Appraisal Tool for Epidemiological studies, as modified by the Centre for Public Health at the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Any inconsistencies in the assessment of eligibility, data extraction or quality appraisal will be resolved through discussion. Where two or more studies report the primary outcome blood lead levels within the same population group, intervention category and source of lead exposure, data will be pooled using random effects meta-analysis. In parallel, harvest plots as a graphical method of evidence synthesis will be used to present findings for blood lead levels and secondary outcomes. DISCUSSION This systematic review will fill an important evidence gap with respect to the effectiveness of interventions to reduce lead in consumer products and drinking water in the context of new WHO guidelines for the prevention and management of lead poisoning. It will also contribute to setting a future research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Pfadenhauer
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Munich, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany.
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Parajuli RP, Fujiwara T, Umezaki M, Furusawa H, Ser PH, Watanabe C. Cord blood levels of toxic and essential trace elements and their determinants in the Terai region of Nepal: a birth cohort study. Biol Trace Elem Res 2012; 147:75-83. [PMID: 22234823 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-011-9309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cord blood level of toxic and trace elements and to identify their determinants in Terai, Nepal. One hundred pregnant women were recruited from one hospital in Chitwan, Nepal in 2008. The cord blood levels of toxic [lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd)], essential trace elements [zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and copper (Cu)], demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral variables were measured. The mean values of Pb, As, Cd, Zn, Se, and Cu in cord blood level were found as 31.7, 1.46, 0.39, 2,286, 175, and 667 μg/L, respectively. In the multivariate regression model, cord blood As levels from less educated mothers were higher than those from educated mothers (coefficient = -0.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.02-0.00). The maternal age was positively associated with the cord blood Cd level (coefficient = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01-0.03), while it was negatively associated with the cord blood As level (coefficient = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.03--0.01). Cord blood levels of Pb, Zn, Se, and Cu were not associated with maternal age, socioeconomic status, living environment, and smoking status. As and Cd levels were relatively lower than those reported in previous studies in Asia, while the levels of Pb and the trace elements were similar. Less educated mothers are more likely to become a higher in utero As source to their fetus, and fetuses of older mothers were more likely to have higher in utero Cd exposure in Terai, Nepal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra Prasad Parajuli
- Department of Social Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan.
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Jain NB, Hu H. Childhood correlates of blood lead levels in Mumbai and Delhi. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2006; 114:466-70. [PMID: 16507473 PMCID: PMC1392244 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lead exposure has previously been associated with intellectual impairment in children in a number of international studies. In India, it has been reported that nearly half of the children have elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). However, little is known about risk factors for these elevated BLLs. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data from the Indian National Family Health Survey, a population-based study conducted in 1998-1999. We assessed potential correlates of BLLs in 1,081 children who were < 3 years of age and living in Mumbai or Delhi, India. We examined factors such as age, sex, religion, caste, mother's education, standard of living, breast-feeding, and weight/height percentile. RESULTS Most children (76%) had BLLs between 5 and 20 microg/dL. Age, standard of living, weight/height percentile, and total number of children ever born to the mother were significantly associated with BLLs (log transformed) in multivariate regression models. Compared with children < or = 3 months of age, children 4-11 and 12-23 month of age had 84 and 146% higher BLLs, respectively (p < 0.001). A low standard of living correlated with a 32.3% increase in BLLs (p = 0.02). Children greater than the 95th percentile for their weight/height had 31% (p = 0.03) higher BLLs compared with those who were below the 5th percentile for their weight/height. CONCLUSIONS Our study found various factors correlated with elevated BLLs in children. The correlation between greater than the 95th percentile weight/height and higher BLL may reflect an impact of lead exposure on body habitus. Our study may help in targeting susceptible populations and identifying correctable factors for elevated BLLs in Mumbai and Delhi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin B Jain
- Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Singh M, Goel P, Singh AK. Biomonitoring of lead in atmospheric environment of an urban center of the Ganga Plain, India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2005; 107:101-14. [PMID: 16418907 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-2146-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2004] [Accepted: 08/13/2004] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of atmospheric lead from the Dalbergia sissoo tree was undertaken at Lucknow urban centre of the Ganga Plain, India. A total of 26 leaf samples were collected in spring, monsoon and winter seasons from 16 sampling sites and was analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method. Lead concentrations were low in spring season, increased in monsoon to winter seasons and range from 2.1 to 28.2 microg/g (dry wt.). This accumulative response of lead in the tree leaves is directly linked with the exposure time of automobile emission that is considered to be the predominant source for it. Highway localities show higher lead concentrations by a factor of 2 as compared to urban localities. Highest concentration was recorded at Sitapur Road (National Highway No. 24) in winter season. A linear quantitative relationship between urban air-lead levels and lead-in-the Dalbergia sissoo leaves is used to infer the qualitative assessment of present day atmospheric lead pollution. Reported results suggest a drastic reduction in mean lead concentration in Lucknow urban air from 1.32 microg/m3 in 1994 to 0.19 microg/m3 in 2002. Similarly, mean lead concentration in the tree leaves during winter season also dropped from 17.9 microg/g in 1994 to 8.1 microg/g in 2004. Despite of increasing urban population, urban area, vehicle population and traffic density, the introduction of unleaded-petrol (vehicular fuel) keeps lead level in the urban environment of Lucknow much lower than the past. Like Lucknow, other urban centres of the Ganga Plain are also on way to the exponential increase in pressure of urbanization. An appropriate urban public transport planning is required to provide healthy atmospheric environment for millions of people especially future young generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munendra Singh
- Department of Geology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India.
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10
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Bellinger DC, Hu H, Kalaniti K, Thomas N, Rajan P, Sambandam S, Ramaswamy P, Balakrishnan K. A pilot study of blood lead levels and neurobehavioral function in children living in Chennai, India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2005; 11:138-43. [PMID: 15875889 DOI: 10.1179/oeh.2005.11.2.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between blood lead level and neurodevelopment was assessed in a pilot cross-sectional study of 74 4-14-year-old children in Chennai, India. Mean blood lead level was 11.1 microg/dL (2.5-38.3). The Binet-Kamath IQ test and the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Activity (WRAVMA) were administered to 58 children. Teachers completed the Connor's Behavioral Rating Scale. Excluding two outliers, IQ and WRAVMA composite scores were inversely related to blood lead level, with an effect size of approximately 6 points decline for a 10-microg/dL increase in blood lead. Children in the highest and lowest blood lead quartiles had mean IQs of 95.6+/-13.3 and 102.0+/-22.5, respectively. Behavior ratings were not associated with blood lead level. Lead exposure is a significant problem among Indian children, with many having blood lead levels associated with increased neurodevelopmental risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Bellinger
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Fewtrell LJ, Prüss-Ustün A, Landrigan P, Ayuso-Mateos JL. Estimating the global burden of disease of mild mental retardation and cardiovascular diseases from environmental lead exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2004; 94:120-33. [PMID: 14757375 DOI: 10.1016/s0013-9351(03)00132-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The disease burden from exposure to lead resulting in mild mental retardation (due to IQ point decreases) and cardiovascular outcomes (due to increases in blood pressure) was estimated at a global level. Blood lead levels were compiled from the literature for 14 geographical regions defined by the World Health Organization according to location and adult and child mortality rates. Adjustments were applied to these levels, where appropriate, to account for recent changes relating to the implementation of lead-reduction programs and the lower levels seen in rural populations. It is estimated that mild mental retardation and cardiovascular outcomes resulting from exposure to lead amount to almost 1% of the global burden of disease, with the highest burden in developing regions. This estimate can be used to assess the magnitude of the benefits that could be accrued by increasing the global coverage of lead-reduction programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- L J Fewtrell
- Centre for Research into Environment and Health, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK
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Hardy AD, Sutherland HH, Vaishnav R. A study of the composition of some eye cosmetics (kohls) used in the United Arab Emirates. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2002; 80:137-145. [PMID: 12007703 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
A total of 23 kohl samples was analyzed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Nineteen samples were obtained in Abu Dhabi and four in Dubai. None of the samples were made in the United Arab Emirates. The main component of 11 samples was found to be galena (PbS). For the remaining 12 samples, the main component was found to be one of the following: amorphous carbon, zincite (ZnO), sassolite (H(3)BO(3)) or calcite/aragonite (CaCO(3)).
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Hardy
- ITMS Section, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi campus, United Arab Emirates
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Furman A, Laleli M. Maternal and umbilical cord blood lead levels: an Istanbul study. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2001; 56:26-8. [PMID: 11256853 DOI: 10.1080/00039890109604051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Current mean lead concentrations in umbilical cords and in maternal blood in Istanbul were 1.69 +/- 0.91 (standard deviation) microg/dl and 2.37 +/- 0.89 microg/dl, respectively. These levels were much lower than values reported in previous years. Umbilical cord blood lead levels, which correlated significantly with mothers' blood lead levels, were approximately 70% of the latter. The drastic decrease in blood lead levels likely reflects the reduction in use of tetraalkyl lead in gasoline subsequent to 1989.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Furman
- Institute of Environmental Sciences Boğaziçi University Istanbyl, Turkey
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