Chromosomal Study on Lead Exposed Population

Abstract

Exposure to extremely toxic substance like lead might lead to a broad range of undesirable health consequences. As a result of lead poisoning both adults and children experience adverse physical conditions. The objective of the present study is to estimate the level of lead in the blood of the exposed population and analyze the haematological parameters along with chromosomal damage. Lead level from blood was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Microcytic anaemia was present in the individuals with high lead level in the blood. Leucocyte culture revealed higher percentage of chromosomal aberrations in the individuals with high lead content in the blood. Further studies will help to define the role of genes in lead intoxication to prevent irreversible damage. Present Address: Dr. Urmisha Das. Research & Publication Executive Lincoln University College Malaysia Address for correspondence: Dr. Urmisha Das. 17/25 Shambhunath Das Lane, Kolkata 700 050, West Bengal, India Telephone: +91 9830228782 E-mail: urmishadas@gmail.com INTRODUCTION During past decades, due to rapid industrialization, the evaluation of potential toxic effect of industrial emissions on residential populations has assumed considerable importance. India is a multiracial population with a wide variety of life styles and microclimates. The effect of various heavy metals on the human population is a widely discussed topic. Lead is a heavy metal, which has many adverse effects on human physiology. Lead is everywhere in the environment as a result of natural occurrence and its industrial use. The primary sources of environmental exposure to lead are paint and drinking water. Most of the overt toxicity from lead results from environmental and industrial exposure (Dregus and Klaassen 2001). Elevated levels of lead in the air are associated with elevated blood lead level in humans (Thomas et al. 1999). Lead is found in storage batteries, lead solders, pipes, construction materials, dyes and wood preservatives (Farjami et al. 2004). Lead is also present in paint, leaded gasoline, cable sheathing and many building materials. It may also be found at firing ranges (from bullet dust) (UNICEF 2000) and in some contaminated herbal remedies and candies (Hu 2005). Though organic lead compounds (tetraethyl lead) have been used as gasoline additives; inorganic lead compounds are the species of current concern. Lead is ubiquitous in the environment and is a major environmental pollutant of air, water and soil. Lead toxicity depends on the site of entry of lead into the body (ingested or absorbed through skin), nature of lead (organic or inorganic), period of exposure, age and sex of the individual and the socio-economic condition. The occurrence of lead poisoning depends on the developmental stage, behavior, nutritional status, and metabolism of an exposed individual. Generally, males have higher blood lead levels than females, even when the exposures to both groups are controlled (Walter et al. 1980). The objective of the present study is to observe the effect of lead on the haematopoietic