Evaluation the concentration of lead in urine of cancer patients in Salah din Governorate using FAAS

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate lead levels in urine of cancer patients in Salah din governorate, which witnessed a rise in the rates of cancerous tumors recorded after the events (2014-2016). 28 urine samples were collected from cancer patients and 10 urine samples from healthy people (their ages range from (20-75) years) from the Oncology Center at Tikrit Military Hospital in Salah din governorate. The lead concentration was found using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS). The mean levels of lead in urine samples from a group of cancer patients and healthy subjects were 0.03665 ± 0.00695 ppm (parts per million) and 0.01212 ± 0.00280 ppm, respectively. The results showed that the lead levels in the urine samples of the cancer group were much higher than those of the healthy group. These results indicate an association between high levels of lead and carcinogenic diseases in these patients. These results could enhance appropriate environmental monitoring of exposure to heavy metals in general and lead in particular.