Elevated Levels Of Pb Research Articles

Cardiovascular endothelial inflammation by chronic coexposure to lead (Pb) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from preschool children in an e-waste recycling area

Lead (Pb) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure is positively associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the possible potential mechanism may be caused by damage to the endothelium by modulation of inflammatory processes. No comprehensive research shows co-exposure of Pb and PAH on cardiovascular endothelial inflammation in electronic waste (e-waste) exposed populations. Given this, the aim of this study is to provide evidence for a relationship between Pb and PAH co-exposure and cardiovascular endothelial inflammation, in an e-waste-exposed population, to delineate the link between a potential mechanism for CVD and environmental exposure. We recruited 203 preschool children (3–7 years) were enrolled from Guiyu (e-waste-exposed group, n = 105) and Haojiang (reference group, n = 98). Blood Pb levels and urinary PAH metabolites were measured. Percentages of T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells, complete blood counts, endothelial inflammation biomarker (serum S100A8/A9), and other inflammatory biomarkers [serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12p70, gamma interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10)] levels were evaluated. Blood Pb, total urinary hydroxylated PAH (ΣOHPAH), total hydroxynaphthalene (ΣOHNap) and total hydroxyfluorene (ΣOHFlu) levels, S100A8/A9, IL-6, IL-12p70 and IP-10 concentrations, absolute counts of monocytes, neutrophils, and leukocytes, as well as CD4+ T cell percentages were significantly higher in exposed children. Elevated blood Pb, urinary 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNap) and ΣOHFlu levels were associated with higher levels of IL-6, IL-12p70, IP-10, CD4+ T cell percentages, neutrophil and monocyte counts. Mediator models indicated that neutrophils exert the significant mediation effect on the relationship between blood Pb levels and S100A8/A9. IL-6 exerts a significant mediation effect on the relationship between blood Pb levels and IP-10, as well as the relationship between urinary ΣOHFlu levels and IP-10. Our results indicate that children with elevated exposure levels of Pb and PAHs have exacerbated vascular endothelial inflammation, which may indicate future CVD risk in e-waste recycling areas.

Maternal lead exposure and premature rupture of membranes: a birth cohort study in China

ObjectivesMaternal exposure to lead (Pb) has been suggested to correlate with adverse birth outcomes, but evidence supporting an association between Pb exposure and premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is limited....

Trace element concentrations in livers of Common Buzzards Buteo buteo from eastern Poland

In this study, our aim was to determine the common sources of origin of 18 elements in the livers of Common Buzzards collected during the breeding season in an extensive agricultural landscape in south-east Poland with respect to age (adults and immatures) and sex (males and females). In all 34 specimens collected, the element concentrations followed the pattern of S > Na > Fe > Mg > Zn > Si > Cu > Mn > Ba > Se > B > Pb > Hg > Cd > Cr > Ni > Sr > V. Among the heavy metals examined, only the concentration of Pb was relatively high. Given the prevalence of farmland in the studied area (and the wide use of fertilizers), common use of lead-hunting ammunition and moderate concentration of Pb in fertilizers, the indirect influence of hunting ammunition ingested with food or as gastroliths was apparently responsible for the elevated levels of Pb in the livers of Common Buzzards. In our study, no significant sex-related differences were detected in the hepatic concentrations of any element. However, a significant age effect was observed for three elements, which had elevated levels in adults (Hg) and immature birds (B, Pb), and a significant age x sex interaction was found for S and Fe. These results might be explained by the importance of these elements in bone growth in immature birds (B), variable strategies of foraging between adults and immature birds (Pb), and possible intersex differences in the immature cohort in response to the presence of lead (S, Fe).

Trace element composition of smolt scales from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), geographic variation between hatcheries

The escape of farmed Atlantic salmon is a problem for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Escapes in all phases of the life cycle of the farmed fish create situations unwanted by authorities and industry, as well as with those depending on the wild Atlantic salmon for commercial or recreational fishing. As a contribution to develop a dependable and feasible method of linking escaped salmon to their hatchery, the chemical variation of 12 elements in sclerites of scale from smolt from hatcheries located all along the coast have been analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS). The survey comprised data on B, Ba, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb, S, Sr, U and Zn in 1347 scales from 24 groups of smolt collected from 18 hatcheries, the largest survey with regard to statistical and geographical variation conducted to date. A majority vote between the result of four different classification methods (linear discriminant analysis, Naïve Bayes, k-nearest neighbour and random forest) misplaced only 55 scales (4%) to group of origin. Sr and Ba are the two most important elements for group separation. Without Sr, the success of correct hatchery classification is reduced from 95.8% to 92.2%, and to 93.4% without Ba.Chemical composition (same elements as in sclerites, except for S and U) of local floodplains’ sediments revealed elevated levels of Pb coinciding with most of the hatcheries where Pb in sclerites was above detection limit.The other elements incorporated in the hydroxyapatite layer (HAP-layer) analysed for this study seems shifted by water treatment done in the hatcheries. Scale chemistry may provide a powerful tool to determine the origin of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon. However, further investigations should be performed before this method can be implemented in the Norwegian salmon management, particularly on two topics. These are the stability of trace elements incorporated in the HAP-layer after change of water environment, and whether the elemental profile from the freshwater hatchery is still recognizable after the salmon has spent more than 2 years in sea.

Study on accumulation of Fe, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cd in Nerita lineata and Thais bitubercularis from Tanjung Harapan and Teluk Kemang, Malaysia.

The presence of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe, Al, Zn, Mn, Cr, and Sn were attributed to metal industries. Cu contamination was associated with piggery industry. Shipping activities contribute to elevated levels of Pb, Cu and As. Elevated levels of metals in the sediments are attributed to anthropogenic activities. Samples were collected in April 2012 and analysed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Fe is the most abundant metal in the tissue and shell compared to the rest of the metals. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soft tissues of Nerita lineata taken from Tanjung Harapan follow this order: Fe > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd while in Thais bitubercularis, the metal concentrations were higher following the order of Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd. The samples taken from Teluk Kemang were higher and exhibited different trend for both organisms. Results from this study are useful for further exploration of Thais bitubercularis as accumulators of Cu, Cd, and Zn. For recommendation, more studies on monitoring the concentration level of heavy metals in marine environment should be done regularly and increase numbers of samples use to biomonitor the heavy metals in marine environment as it is important to have information or data regarding the quality of marine environment inorder to control pollution such as water pollution from being contaminated with heavy metals. This is essential as the pollutants emit in the marine environment may affect marine lives as well as human’s health.

The effect of lead contamination on bioturbation by Lumbriculus variegatus in a freshwater microcosm

The present study investigated the effect of lead (Pb) on bioturbation by the oligochaete worm Lumbriculus variegatus, using freshwater microcosms. The experiment used lead at “0”, 140, 700, and 3500 μg/g in sediment, and used two different laboratory populations of L. variegatus. A molecular genetic analysis and bioassays were conducted to determine if the two populations differed genetically and whether they differed in Pb-sensitivity. The bioturbation of L. variegatus was estimated using luminophores placed at the sediment-water interface at the beginning of the experiment. After the 14 d experiment the luminophore profiles in sediment were used to estimate the biodiffusion and bioadvection coefficients, using the diffusion-advection model. The results showed that the biodiffusion and bioadvection coefficients were generally negatively related to the Pb concentrations in the sediment. Lead at 700 and 3500 μg/g reduced both coefficients, while Pb at 140 μg/g did not. Luminophore profiles in the “0” and 140 μg/g treatments were indicative of a non-local transport, while a diffusive transport was observed at the higher Pb levels. The two laboratory populations of L. variegatus used in the experiment differed in their sensitivity to Pb when mortality was used as the endpoint, but they did not differ in sediment bioturbation or the Pb-sensitivity of this process. Moreover, the genetic analysis did not detect any genetic differences between the populations. This study demonstrated that elevated levels of Pb can impact ecosystem functioning by decreasing the bioturbation activity of benthic organisms such as L. variegatus.

Levels of five metals in male hair from urban and rural areas of Chongqing, China.

Heavy metals were measured by flame atomic absorption in male hair from residents in urban and rural areas in Chongqing. The median values of the Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 2.90, 23.9, 9.31, 39.3 and 203μg/g in urban areas and 0.84, 13.4, 5.56, 14.5 and 169μg/g in rural area, respectively. The levels of Cd, Ni and Pb both in urban and rural areas lie at the high end of the worldwide figures. The differences in heavy metal distribution pattern indicated that there were more sources of Cd and Pb in urban areas. The levels of Cd were increasing along with the growth of age except for the aged people in urban areas, and no significant relationship was observed between the levels of the heavy metal and the age. It is noticed that the hair of smokers exhibited more heavy metal levels than that of non-smokers both in urban and rural areas. In addition, the hair metal levels of the smokers and non-smokers in urban areas were significantly higher than those in rural area, respectively. Significant pairwise correlations (p<0.01) were observed among Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb in rural area and only between Cu and Ni and between Pb and Ni in urban areas, indicating the elements in these two areas might originate from different sources. The elevated levels of Cd, Pb and Ni implied that the residents both in urban and rural areas might be at high risk of toxic metal exposure, especially for the children.

Long-term outcomes of Kawashima operation for patients with functional single ventricle and interrupted IVC

Lead (Pb) poisoning in children is a major public health catastrophe worldwide. This report summarises both exposure pathways and blood Pb levels in children below 7 years of age and adults (above 18 years) from the Adudu community living near a lead–zinc mine in Nasawara, Nigeria. The average and median blood Pb levels in children and adults were 2.1 and 1.3 μg/dL, 3.1 and 1.8 μg/dL, respectively. However, Pb in 14% of adults' blood exceeded 5 μg/dL, which is the recommended threshold blood Pb concentration in adults as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore 68% of adults' blood exceeded blood Pb action level of 2 μg/dL. For children, 11.4% and 31% of the blood samples exceeded 5 μg/dL and 2 μg/dL, respectively, while no safe blood Pb level in children has been recommended. In Nasawara, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the various age groups in children with 2–4 years old having the highest levels and 6 year old children having the lowest Pb levels. Although this study did not detect elevated levels of Pb in children's blood in regions such as Zamfara, Nigeria and Kabwe, Zambia, a high percentage of samples exceeded 2 μg/dL. Soils, floor dusts, water and crops also reveal that Pb contamination in the study area could potentially be the major cause of blood Pb in the community exposed to mining. This study also observed a significant correlation between water Pb levels of adults and blood Pb levels, suggesting that water is the major exposure pathway. This analysis highlights the need to properly manage mining activities so that the health of communities living in the vicinity of a Pb–Zn mine is not compromised.

Multi-element analysis of airborne particulate matter from different work tasks during subsea tunnel rehabilitation work

ABSTRACTTunnel rehabilitation work involves exposure to various air contaminants, including airborne particulate matter (APM). Little is known on the contents of different chemical components of APM generated during tunnel work.The objective of the present study was to characterize exposure to APM and various elements for different job categories in different size fractions of APM during a subsea tunnel rehabilitation project carried out in Western Norway. Personal as well as stationary samples of inhalable, thoracic and respirable dust were collected from workers divided into 11 different job categories based on work operations performed, and air concentrations of a range of elements were determined using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS).Overall, APM concentrations were low, but with some measurements exceeding the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for inhalable particles, and considerable proportions of respirable and especially inhalable APM exceeding 10% of the TLVs. For most elements, air concentrations measured were quite low, in the ng/m3 range, except for the major crustal elements Si, Fe, Al, and Mg, which were found to be in the µg/m3 range. Asphalt millers overall had the highest exposure levels for APM and most measured elements; for instance, mean concentrations of V, Rb, and Mn were 380, 210, and 2000 ng/m3 in inhalable and 33, 44, and 310 ng/m3 in respirable APM. Mounting PVC membrane seemed to generate elevated levels of Cr, Zn, Sn, Pb, Sb, As, Mn, Fe, and Ni, whereas typical bedrock elements were elevated during drilling activities compared to the low exposed categories lead car drivers, foremen/surveyors, drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, and electricians. Overall, stationary samples contained lower amounts of dust and elemental constituents compared to personal samples. Elemental air concentrations were highly variable with occasional elevated values for APM and certain elements, particularly Cr and Zn.

Assessment of Heavy-Metal Pollution in Sediments and Tilapia Fish Species in Kafue River of Zambia

We report results from an evaluation of the levels of heavy metals, i.e., copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and iron (Fe) in sediment and tilapia fish samples from a wide stretch of the Kafue river of Zambia. In sediment samples, the highest Pb and Fe concentrations were recorded at Hippo Dam, i.e., 36.2±0.1mg/kg dw and 733±37mg/kgdw at Kafue Town, respectively. Other notably high metal concentrations in sediment were Cr at Kafue Bridge (42.5±0.1mg/kgdw [dw]), Cu at Mpongwe (233±5mg/kg dw), and Mn at Kafue Town (133±1mg/kg dw); it was highest at Ithezi Tezhi Dam at 166±1mg/kgd. Three fish species, i.e., three-spot bream Tilapia andersonii, red-breasted bream T. rendalli, and nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus were evaluated for levels of the seven metals. The concentrations of the metals in these fish species afforded estimation of the biota sediment-accumulation factor, which is the ratio of the concentration of the metal in liver to that in the sediment. The coefficients of condition (K) values, which give an indication of the health of the fish, were also estimated. The K values ranged from 2.5±0.5 to 5.1±0.6 in all of the three fish species. Partial least squares analysis showed that heavy metals are generally sequestered evenly in all of the parts of all of the three fish species except for elevated levels of Mn, Cd, and Pb in the liver samples.

Impact of reactive oxygen species on antioxidant capacity of male reproductive system

The present research work was aimed to study the mutual interaction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and basal cells antioxidant capacity in the male reproductive system and to further establish the association between selected heavy metals and stress markers. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) of serum and seminal plasma were determined by automated photometric methods. The concentrations of Selenium (Se), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd) were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The TOS was increased significantly (P <0.05) in seminal plasma as well as in the serum of the infertile group when compared with the fertile group. On the other hand, the TAS of the infertile group was found to be noticeably decreased (P <0.05) when compared with the TAS of the fertile group. Among the heavy metals, a noticeably lower concentration of Se was detected in the infertile group whereas markedly elevated levels of Cd and Pb were observed in the infertile group compared with the fertile group. Among the infertile group a significant inverse correlation (r = -0.521, P <0.05) was observed between Se and TOS and between Cd and Pb (r = -0.407, P <0.05). Contrarily among the infertile group a considerable positive relationship was established between Se and TAS (r = 0.507, P <0.05). It was concluded that the oxidant stress reduces the antioxidant activity in infertile men by elevating the production of ROS. A lower concentration of Se and elevated levels of Pb and Cd explain the individual's exposure to these heavy metals. The study also revealed that the heavy metal toxicity contributes significantly to male infertility.

Assessment of Lead Contamination in Soils of Urban Parks of Khorramabad, Iran

Background: The urban environment quality is of vital importance as most people throughout the world live in cities. For this reason, there is a need to monitor lead levels in the environment, particularly in metropolitan areas. To date, no research on soil pollution in Khorramabad urban areas has been performed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess soils of Khorramabad metropolis in order to establish the concentration of lead and develop a contamination factor map. MaterialsandMethods: Soil samples were collected from 25 dierent urban parks in Khorramabad, Iran. The mean Pb contents in the urban topsoil samples were compared with mean concentrations for other cities around the world. A spatial distribution map of lead was created by GIS. Results: Analysis of urban soil samples for Pb content indicated the presence of Pb in all soil samples collected from the 40 sampling sites in 25 urban parks at varying concentrations ranging from 0.05 - 35 mg/kg. Elevated levels of Pb in soil were found in the center of the city. The findings regarding contamination factor (CF) showed low to moderate contamination of urban soil by lead. Conclusions: It was revealed that the contents in lead tend to increase in the historic and central part of the city. Map of lead distribution and contamination factor were created for this city indicating vehicular emission as the main source of lead pollution and likewise role of place and age of the park in accumulation of lead.

Influence of digested wastewater sludge on early growth of the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Effects of residual wastewater sludge, amended with zeolites, on the early growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were investigated. For that purpose growth parameters, content of photosynthetic pigments, substrate characteristics, levels of macro- and micronutrients, as well as toxic elements in plant tissue, plant inorganic matter and substrates, sewage sludge and soil, were determined. Among the growth indicators, only protein content and inorganic matter in plant tissue were found to be influenced by the type and composition of the substrate. Sewage sludge was found to contain elevated levels of Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr and Zn, while Cu and Sn were found in an order of magnitude higher levels compared to the control sample. Application of sewage sludge, however, modified only the content of Cu and Zn in the plant tissue, inducing accumulation of these elements by a factor of 2. Despite the fact that all other measured elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ti, U and V) were found in plant tissue at similar level regardless of the substrate metal loading, accumulation indices point to overall lower bioavailability of elements from digested sludge in comparison with control substrate. Moreover, metal concentrations in all analyzed plant samples were below legally established limits.

Lead concentration in the blood of the general population living near a lead–zinc mine site, Nigeria: Exposure pathways

Lead (Pb) poisoning in children is a major public health catastrophe worldwide. This report summarises both exposure pathways and blood Pb levels in children below 7years of age and adults (above 18years) from the Adudu community living near a lead–zinc mine in Nasawara, Nigeria. The average and median blood Pb levels in children and adults were 2.1 and 1.3μg/dL, 3.1 and 1.8μg/dL, respectively. However, Pb in 14% of adults' blood exceeded 5μg/dL, which is the recommended threshold blood Pb concentration in adults as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Furthermore 68% of adults' blood exceeded blood Pb action level of 2μg/dL. For children, 11.4% and 31% of the blood samples exceeded 5μg/dL and 2μg/dL, respectively, while no safe blood Pb level in children has been recommended. In Nasawara, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed between the various age groups in children with 2–4years old having the highest levels and 6year old children having the lowest Pb levels. Although this study did not detect elevated levels of Pb in children's blood in regions such as Zamfara, Nigeria and Kabwe, Zambia, a high percentage of samples exceeded 2μg/dL. Soils, floor dusts, water and crops also reveal that Pb contamination in the study area could potentially be the major cause of blood Pb in the community exposed to mining. This study also observed a significant correlation between water Pb levels of adults and blood Pb levels, suggesting that water is the major exposure pathway. This analysis highlights the need to properly manage mining activities so that the health of communities living in the vicinity of a Pb–Zn mine is not compromised.

The concentration, source and potential human health risk of heavy metals in the commonly consumed foods in Bangladesh

Seven food items, namely, meat, egg, fish, milk, vegetables, cereals and fruits were collected from Bogra district, Bangladesh to evaluate the levels of heavy metal and associated health risk to the adults and children. The samples were analyzed for the quantification of selected heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb) on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer followed by acid digestion. In general, the highest concentrations of the studied metals were detected in vegetables, cereals, and fruits. The range of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in the foods were 0.058–10, 0.036–25, 0.045–40, 0.005–7.1, 0.001–5.5 and 0.005–13mg/kgfw, respectively. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) revealed three major groups of the studied metals and showed significant anthropogenic contributions of the Ni, Cu, and As in foods. Health risk assessment was evaluated in terms of target hazard quotient and target carcinogenic risk (TR) which showed that the intake of some metals through foods were higher than the recommended values, consequently consumption of the foods may be associated with non-carcinogenic health risks. Nonetheless, elevated levels of As and Pb were also found to be associated with lifetime carcinogenic risk to the consumers.

Maternal risk factors associated with lead, mercury and cadmium levels in umbilical cord blood, breast milk and newborn hair

Objective: Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) are environmental pollutants that are wide spread throughout the world. The present study aimed to investigate the level of exposure to Pb, Hg and Cd during the prenatal period, and the possible routes of maternal exposure to these toxic heavy metals.Participants: The study included 123 mothers and their newborns. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected immediately after delivery, and breast milk and newborn hair samples were collected between postpartum d 3 and 10.Results: Among the 121 cord blood samples that were analyzed, Pb was present in 120 (99.2%) and the mean level was 1.66 ± 1.60 µg dL−1 (range: <detection limit–12.50 µg dL−1), whereas Hg was noted in only 2 (1.7%) (15.74 and 33.20 µgL−1) and Cd was detected in 24 (19.8%) (range: < detection limit–6.71 µgL−1). The level of Pb in cord blood was ≥2 µg dL−1 in 29% of the samples. Pb, Hg and Cd were detectable in all the newborn hair samples.Discussion: Among the 107 breast milk samples analyzed, 89 (83.2%) had a detectable level of Pb and the mean level was 14.56 ± 12.13 µgL−1. Detection rate of Cd in breast milk was higher in women who resided near to city waste disposal site. Detection rate of Cd in cord blood was significantly higher in the women who consumed ≥2 servings of fish weekly. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) resulted in elevated levels of Pb and Cd in newborn hair samples.Conclusion: Most of the study samples had detectable levels of Pb, Hg and Cd, indicating that there was long-term maternal exposure prior to and during pregnancy, and a considerable number of the cord and breast milk samples had levels that exceeded the present accepted safety level.

Determination of the contamination profile of groundwater in the vicinity of petroleum products retailing stations in Nigeria

Purpose – The quality of groundwater in the vicinity of petroleum products retailing stations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria was investigated with a view to providing valuable information on the organic and other physico-chemical parameters associated with the contamination of the groundwaters by petroleum products. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Three sets of samples were collected per season from artesian wells within petroleum products retailing stations for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metals and other physico-chemical parameters analysis. Extraction, cleaned-up and concentration of the PAHs were done using certified analytical methods. Levels of the PAHs and metals were determined using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detector and bulk scientific atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively, while other pollution indicators were measured using standard analytical procedures. Findings – The groundwaters contained elevated levels of PAHs, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, V, Ni, Fe and total dissolved solids than their maximum allowable limits for drinking water. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results confirmed that both seasonal variation and location had much influence on the levels of most of the analyzed parameters. Some of the parameters showed strong positive correlation with each other, while Cr/Pb and Na/Pb displayed strong negative correlation with each other, indicating similar source(s) and/or chemical affinity and vice versa, respectively. Cross-plot analysis results using metals and PAHs concentrations as variables showed significant positive correlations (R2=0.99) and (R2=0.60), respectively, suggesting similar source(s) of contamination of the two sets of samples. Originality/value – The level of the groundwater contamination was an indication of indiscriminate discharge of petroleum products and/or underground tank leakage within the study areas.

Determination of Heavy Metals in &lt;i&gt;Moringa&lt;/i&gt; &lt;i&gt;oleifera&lt;/i&gt; Capsules by ICP-MS

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf capsules collected from markets in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand were determined for 11 heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using acid digestion for sample preparation. The concentrations of Al, As, Cr, Cu and Hg in all samples of M. oleifera capsules were found within permissible limits and normal ranges. In contrast, Fe, and Zn concentrations in all samples were higher than permissible limits. Furthermore, the concentrations of Cd, Mn, Ni, and Pb in some samples were higher than permissible limits and normal ranges. The presence of elevated levels of Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in M. oleifera capsules is a serious matter of concern. Therefore, it is important that doctors and consumers are aware of this matter especially during the routine taking of M. oleifera capsules.

The impact of poor governance on water and sediment quality: a case study in the Pitimbu River, Brazil

Abstract. Applying a collaborative approach under a power-sharing institutional structure, coupled with a shift in paradigms, sustainable water resources management often requires political-institutional reform to achieve its goals. Most of Brazil’s river basins are subject to rapid urbanization; however, basin stakeholders generally lack sufficient institutional capacity to address the attending water resource issues. Subject to urbanisation, the Pitimbu River basin supplies potable water to approximately 280 000 people in Brazil’s Natal region. This study investigated how current institutional models influence both water management and fluvial contamination by metals. Sediment samples collected at eight sites along the river revealed elevated levels of Pb, Fe, Al, Ni and Zn, whose sources were linked to industries, vehicles, as well as agricultural and construction wastes. Aluminium enrichment of surface waters was mainly linked to inadequate sanitation infrastructure. In light of this, the region's poor institutional capacity must be addressed through institutional reform, including a new management structure open to public collective water management planning. In so doing, Brazil's water policies should acknowledge capacity building as a critical element of institutional reform.

Predicting bioavailability of metals from sludge-amended soils.

We attempted to develop a protocol for fixing the maximum permissible limit of sludge in agricultural lands based on transfer of metals from sludge-amended soils to human food chain. For this purpose, spinach was grown as a test crop on acid and alkaline soils with graded doses of sludge (0, 1.12, 2.24, 4.48, 8.96, 17.9, 35.8, 71.6, 142 and 285gkg(-1) of soil) in a pot experiment. Biomass yield of spinach was increased due to sludge application in both acid and alkaline soils. Among the chemical extractants, EDTA extracted the highest amount of metals from sludge-amended soil followed by diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and CaCl2. Elevated levels of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd and Pb in spinach were observed due to sludge application over control. Application of sludge was more effective in increasing metal content in spinach grown on acid soil than alkaline soil. Solubility-free ion activity model as a function of pH, organic carbon and extractable metal was far more effective in predicting metal uptake by spinach grown on sludge-amended soils as compared to that of chemical extractants. Risk in terms of hazard quotient (HQ) for intake of metals through consumption of spinach by humans grown on sludge-treated soils was computed for different metals separately. In a 90-day pot experiment, safe rates of sludge application were worked out as 4.48 and 71.6gkg(-1) for acid and alkaline soils, respectively.