Whole Blood Characterization in School Teachers with Reference to Chalk Sticks

Abstract

It is known that usage of chalk causes dust and exposure to chalk dust can cause health hazards in teachers. But the level of exposure to chalk dust in teachers were not known so far. Hence, present study aimed to investigate the level of exposure to chalk dust in teachers by studying the whole blood concentrations of trace elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Si, Pb) that are associated with chalk. ICPMS method was adopted to conduct the trace element concentration in whole blood and due to lack of reference standards, the recovery percentages were analyzed. From the results, it is identified that except Si all the elements are noticed beyond the normal blood limits in teachers. For silicon, there is no normal blood limit. The relation between the trace elemental concentration and socio demographic variables like gender, age, Years of service was also studied. The age and gender did not show significant difference with the trace element concentration. The years of service revealed a positive association with trace element concentrations. The elements like Si (70847 μg/l), Iron (19499 μg/l), Al (1389.9 μg/l) were noticed with elevated concentrations in teachers. The same elements were reported with higher concentrations in past studies that are conducted on trace elements concentration of chalk. Hence, it is proved that the chalk is the prime reason for the elevated concentrations of trace elements in blood and it also concluded that usage of chalk causes health hazards in teachers.