Concentration Levels Of Lead Research Articles

Detection of toxic elements using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy in smokers' and nonsmokers' teeth and investigation of periodontal parameters.

A laser-induced breakdown spectrometer (LIBS) was built and optimized to detect levels of toxic elements such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic present in the roots of extracted teeth of smokers and nonsmokers. Sixty extracted teeth from patients having a history of chronic periodontitis were divided into two groups of 30 teeth each for smoker and nonsmoker patients and, as controls, a third group of 30 patients who did not have a history of chronic periodontitis. The respective elemental concentration (Pb, Cd, and As) 23-29, 0.26-0. 31, and 0.64-11ppm are for nonsmokers, 35-55, 0.33-0.51, and 0.91-1.5ppm are for smokers, and lastly 0.17-0.31, 0.01-0.05, and 0.05-0.09ppm are for control group. In order to test the validity of the results achieved using our LIBS system, a standard inductively coupled plasma (ICP) technique was also applied for the analysis of the same teeth samples, and ICP results were found to be in excellent agreement with our LIBS results. In addition to this, the gingival index, plaque index, clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing pocket depth were also recorded. Our LIBS spectroscopic analysis showed high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic concentration on root surfaces of teeth, which may be due to CAL.

The frequency distribution of lead concentration in feathers, blood, bone, kidney and liver of golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos: insights into the modes of uptake

Several cases of acute lead poisoning of golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos have been documented in the Alps. The question, however, remains how often golden eagles take up lead (once, chronically or episodically) and whether this uptake is in fatal or sublethal amounts. We approached this question by examining the level and frequency distribution of lead concentration in different tissues and in three segments of flight feathers in 41 golden eagles found dead, injured or moribund in the Swiss Alps. The frequency distribution of lead concentration in the blood, liver, kidney, wing coverts and shaft of flight feathers were all right-skewed. The highest values in blood, kidney and liver reached levels typical for acute fatal poisoning. In contrast, the frequency distribution of lead in bones was more symmetrical, but 71 % had bone lead concentrations >10 µg/g, which are considered elevated, and 29 % >20 µg/g, values often observed in cases of lethal poisoning. In 22 % of individuals, only one segment of a flight feather had a high lead concentration, while the other two segments had a low concentration. These findings indicate an episodic intake of lead of various amounts that may be immediately fatal (generating high blood levels) or sublethal. The patterns of lead in flight feathers and in bone suggest a repeated sublethal lead intake by the same individual. Such an episodic lead uptake seems only possible through ingestion of lead particles from carcasses or offal left behind by hunters. This also constitutes a risk to other scavengers, notably to the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus for which several high bone lead values have been found.

Flexible geostatistical modeling and risk assessment analysis of lead concentration levels of residential soil in the Coeur D’Alene River Basin

Soil heavy metals pollution is an urgent problem worldwide. Understanding the spatial distribution of pollutants is critical for environmental management and decision-making. Children and adults are still routinely exposed to very high levels of heavy metals contaminants in some countries, particularly in regions with a long mining history. In this paper, we analyze lead concentration levels from residential soil samples in the Coeur D’Alene River Basin in the United States. The aim of this paper is to estimate the spatial distribution of the lead concentration levels that may affect exposed humans. Geographic coordinates were compiled for a total of 781 residential addresses and 1,075 mine-related sites (e.g. mine tailings, rock dumps, mine wastes, etc.) surrounding the properties. The lead concentration levels analyzed in the study are in general variable within a residential property and measured levels can differ greatly from one residential address to a nearby address. We consider a unified approach to model the lead concentration levels by means of penalized regression splines and tensor product smooths, using generalized additive models as a building block. We also use this approach to perform a risk assessment spatial analysis to map hot spots for lead based on the action levels defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Determination of Environmental Deposition of Lead (Pb) in Certain Selected Samples in the Industrial Areas of Gazipur District of Bangladesh

Hasty industrialization affects the environment in different ways by discharging the large quantity of effluents as dissipate water in the surrounding water bodies, causing the solemn problems to environment. Twenty (n=20) samples of each category were collected from different locations of Gazipur. 3-5 goat of each sample was considered for analytical procedure. The results of analysis of variance of mean Pb-concentration in different samples collected from different locations differed significantly (P<0.05). The detected mean value of lead (Pb) concentration in drinking water (ground water), surface water, industrial waste water and agricultural soil (crop land) was 0.048±0.005mg/L ml/L, 0.428±0.098 ml/L, and 38.859±5.766 ml/L and 79.059±16.261 mg/kg. The mean value of concentrations of lead (Pb) was also detected in poultry tissue and litter samples. The highest level of lead (Pb) concentration was found in bone followed by brain, kidney, liver and muscles. The detected mean value of lead (Pb) in bone, brain, kidney, liver and muscles were 0.082±0.005 mg/kg, 0.073±0.007 mg/kg, 0.071±0.007 mg/kg, 0.052±0.011 mg/kg and 0.038±0.005, respectively. As regards biological samples, the highest natural accumulation of lead (Pb) was found in chicken bone while the lowest concentration (Pb) was detected in muscles. The natural accumulation of Pb was highly and significantly (P<0.001). The poultry litter (0.580±0.059 mg/kg) was also detected significantly (P<0.05) as a major toxic agent in respect of lead (Pb) for environmental degradation due to the use of poultry litter in agricultural soil (crop land) to grow more crops and vegetables.

Origin and accumulation of trace elements in sediments of the northwestern Mediterranean margin

Continental margins receive natural and anthropogenic trace elements (TEs) from direct atmospheric deposition of aerosols onto the sea surface and from advection of riverine suspended particles and/or resuspended sediments from the continental shelf/slope. When the margin is incised by submarine canyons, as for example in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, most of these particles are preferentially transferred via these topographic features towards their final repositories in the abyssal plain. The Gulf of Lions (GoL) shelf receives the largest particulate riverine input to the Western Mediterranean, with its associated chemical contaminants originating from the industrialized and urbanized Rhone Valley. Sediment samples (grabs, cores and moored traps) collected in the Cap de Creus (CdC) Canyon and its adjacent areas at the Southwestern exit of the GoL were analyzed to explore the origin, dispersion, transfer and accumulation of a suite of TEs (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) from the GoL shelf to the adjacent continental rise. Distributions of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and V in the surface sediments of the shelf confirm their terrigenous origin in association with clay minerals, whereas Ag and Cd are more associated with organic matter (OM). All these TEs are anthropogenically enriched in the Rhone prodelta sediments. Anthropogenic influence remains clearly discernible in the GoL shelf surface sediments for Ag, Pb and Zn. Hydrodynamical resuspension and sorting of shelf sediments occur at the head of the CdC Canyon during dense shelf-water cascading events. During these events, the material collected in moored sediment traps contains a higher coarse carbonate fraction slightly impoverished in TEs compared to the clays of the nepheloid layer and the organically-rich particles deposited before and at the end of the cascading period. Upper and middle canyon sediments are characterized by high sedimentation rates (~0.2cmyr−1) of fine clay material. Conversely, sediments from the lower continental slope and rise exhibit low sedimentation rates (~0.06cmyr−1) and receive carbonaceous planktonic detritus from the water column. At the lower continental slope, coarse material includes foraminifers and pteropods, whereas at the continental rise finer planktonic-derived material is more abundant. Both in the CdC Canyon and in its adjacent lower continental slope/rise sediments, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni and V are associated with clay, whereas Ag, Cu and Pb are preferentially associated with OM. Cadmium, Cr, and Zn are also associated with OM in canyon sediments. Carbonaceous plankton appears to be especially efficient for scavenging Ag, whereas, Cr, V, Zn and Pb are diluted by biogenic carbonates. An authigenic Mn fraction is enriched with Co and Ni. Lead and Zn concentration levels and vertical profile patterns, along with Pb stable isotopic ratios, indicate that significant parts of Pb and Zn are of anthropogenic origin. A sediment chronology based on 210Pb dating reveals that Pb anthropization, mainly from gasoline additives, culminated between 1960 and 1980, being the current concentrations >40% lower than 30years ago. A similar distribution is observed for Zn, which originates mainly from combustion processes; but the reduction of Zn contamination amounts to only 20% during the same period. The largest anthropogenic Pb accumulation occurs in the middle part of CdC Canyon, with an inventory of 200μgcm−2. At the most distal part of the continental rise anthropogenic Pb accumulation within the first ~10cm below the surface sediment is estimated around 10μgcm−2, which is similar to the direct atmospheric deposition estimate.

Using a GIS and GIS-Assisted Water Quality Model to Analyze the Deterministic Factors for Lead and Copper Corrosion in Drinking Water Distribution Systems

AbstractVarious physical and chemical characteristics of a water distribution system can provide favorable conditions for lead or copper leaching. This study applied geographic information systems (GIS) and a hydraulic model of distribution systems to test the influences of pipe material, pipe age, water age, and other water quality parameters on lead/copper leaching. This study was based on a study performed at North Carolina State University (NCSU) using spatial analysis and geostatistics analysis to test for lead leaching based on water age and the influence of other water quality parameters. Results of the study indicate that higher levels of first-draw lead concentrations most likely occur in buildings constructed between 1970 and 1986 with copper plumbing systems. A long water age to the building and high water temperature also likely contribute to lead leaching into the drinking water. Switching the disinfectant to free chlorine during the “burn out” period then back to chloramines appear not to ac...

The Leachate of Lead from the Crucibles Undergone Ruby Heat Treatment with Lead Glass Additive

Heat treatment with lead glass additive is developed to improve the quality of rubies. The alumina crucibles which were used as containers are not subjected to the hazardous waste laws. Therefore, this research constituted a study to characterize and determines lead contents in the leachate from these crucibles by two methods, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) as simulation of leaching conditions of landfill and acid rain, respectively. Discarded crucibles from 6 factories gives lead concentrations ranging from 0.58 to 335.73 (TCLP) and 0.35 to 312.17mg /l (SPLP), with a positive correlation between them. For the pH values, the leachates by TCLP seem to be constant at 5.00-5.17 while those by SPLP seem to be fluctuated, ranging from 6.64 to 9.73. The increasing in pH value doses not correspond with the increasing in lead concentration level.

Analysis of metal contents in Portland Type V and MTA-based cements.

The aim of this study was to determine, by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), the concentration levels of 11 metals in Type V gray and structural white PC, ProRoot MTA, and MTA Bio. Samples, containing one gram of each tested cement, were prepared and transferred to a 100 mL Teflon tube with a mixture of 7.0 mL of nitric acid and 21 mL of hydrochloric acid. After the reaction, the mixture was filtered and then volumed to 50 mL of distilled water. For each metal, specific patterns were determined from universal standards. Arsenic quantification was performed by hydride generator. The analysis was performed five times and the data were statistically analyzed at 5% level of significance. Only the cadmium presented concentration levels of values lower than the quantification limit of the device. The AAS analysis showed increased levels of calcium, nickel, and zinc in structural white PC. Type V PC presented the greatest concentration levels of arsenic, chromium, copper, iron, lead, and manganese (P < 0.05). Bismuth was found in all cements, and the lowest concentration levels were observed in Portland cements, while the highest were observed in ProRoot MTA. Both PC and MTA-based cements showed evidence of metals inclusion.

Determination of trace elements in nutrition materials in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Four types of edible tubercular roots cultivated in Saudi Arabia are analysed through sequential determination of certain essential and toxic trace elements by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Comparable runs carried out using both flame and graphite atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Radish proved to contain the highest concentration level of iron (>21 μg/g), onion contains high concentration of zinc and strontium (~ 6 and 9 μg/g) and potato was found to contain the highest concentration level of copper (~2 μg/g). Samples of carrots, radish and potato collected from different locations are also analysed to study the effect of cultivation area on the concentration levels of trace elements in edible tubercular roots. Variation in the concentration levels of iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, strontium, cadmium and lead in each type of test samples seem not to be significant. Detailed studies seem necessary to throw further light on the effect of different of sample location on the concentration levels of both essential and toxic trace elements in different vegetable materials; especially those cultivated in areas neighboring various industrial and other human activities in Saudi Arabia. Key words: Tubercular roots, trace elements, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analysis.

The intestinal cestode Hymenolepis diminuta as a lead sink for its rat host in the industrial areas of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The present study sought to assess the potential of the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta as a bioindicator for lead accumulation in two industrial areas of the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rats (Meriones libycus) were collected from two sites (industrial area II and Salbukh) in Riyadh. In the industrial area II, the mean levels of lead concentrations were found to be 1.96, 1.92, 1.4 and 30.72μg/g in the rats’ liver, kidney and intestine, and in H. diminuta, respectively. In Salbukh, meanwhile, the lead concentrations were 1.63, 1.52, 1.20 and 21.31μg/g in the rats’ liver, kidney, and intestine, and in H. diminuta, respectively. In addition, in industrial area II, compared with the liver, kidney and intestine of their host, the bioconcentration factors of lead were found to be, respectively, 15.6, 16 and 21.9 times higher in H. diminuta, and were 7.5, 8, and 10.2 times higher in the same organs compared to H. diminuta in Salbukh. The present study, therefore, proved that H. diminuta could be used as a bioindicator for heavy metal contamination in the industrial areas of the city of Riyadh.

A Case Control Study on Blood Lead, Urinary Cotinine and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

&lt;Background&gt;As risk factors for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), prenatal smoking and lead exposure and their synergistic effect of simultaneous exposure have been reported. &lt; Aims&gt;The purpose of this study is to investigate associations between blood lead, urinary cotinine levels and ADHD including a possible synergistic effect of the lead and cotinine on ADHD in children. &lt;Method&gt; Based on a community survey for ADHD screening using the Korean version of ADHD rating scale in elementary schools of Cheonan city, a case control study was designed to examine environmental risk factors for ADHD. Cases and controls were confirmed by a pediatric psychiatrist through a thorough clinical work-up. Controls were selected by individual age and gender matching with the cases. A total of 214 cases and 237 controls aged 6-10 were included in the present study. Measurements of blood lead concentration and urinary cotinine level and questionnaire administration to obtain information on general characteristics, socio-demographic and various confounders were done at the time of participants’ hospital visits. Analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression model adjusted for confounders and covariates. &lt;Results&gt;Geometric means (geometric standard deviation) of blood lead and urinary cotinine levels were 1.64 (1.46) ug/dL and 1.78 (3.81) ng/mL in ADHD cases and 1.47 (1.47) ug/dL and 1.15 (2.73) ng/mL in controls, respectively. Risk of ADHD associated with blood lead level: odds ratios of 1.90 (95% confidence intervals =1.06-3.38) for the highest quartile compared to the lowest of lead level. ADHD risk showed a significant increase according to increasing urinary cotinine level (p-trend=0.004). However, the synergistic effect of blood lead and urinary cotinine on the risk of ADHD was not significant. &lt;Conclusion&gt;Exposure to lead and tobacco smoke associated with risk of ADHD and a non-significant synergistic effect was found in children.

DETERMINATION OF LEAD CONTENT OF PUMPKIN LEAF (TELFAIRIA OCCIDANTALIS) SELECTED FROM TOWNS WITHIN THE THREE ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF DELTA STATE

In recent years, there has been growing interest in monitoring heavy metal concentration of edible vegetables. Consumption of foods and vegetables contaminated with heavy metal is a major source of health problem. Therefore, this study was carried out in 15 selected towns in Delta state, covering the three ecological zones of the state, of five towns from each zone. Lead content of pumpkin leaf (Telfairia occidantalis) from these towns were determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrum (AAS). This study showed significant difference (p<0.05) in lead concentration between the three zones, with the fresh water swamp forest zone showing the highest mean concentration (0.39±0.17) when compared with the other two zones 0.20±0.11 and 0.25±13 respectively. Although this study did not reveal toxic levels of lead concentration over the accepted standard limits of 0.5mg/100g approved by WHO and FAD, consumers of pumpkin leaf in these towns should not be exposed to any risk associated with daily intake of 0.2mg/day. Observation from this investigation reveals that pumpkin leaf cropped within Delta State is relatively safe for human consumption with respect to lead level.

Analysis of blood lead level and its influencing factors of workers in one lead acid storage cell enterprise

To understand the blood lead level and its influencing factors of workers in one lead acid storage cell enterprise in Jiangsu Province. An occupational health field investigation was done to this storage cell enterprise at the end of June 2011 to measure the air lead fume (dust) concentration of workplaces. Health-care information of 1364 person-times from 2009 - 2011 was collected, including blood lead level, general state of health, life and health habit. One way ANOVA and ordinal multi-categorical logistic stepwise regression were used to analysis the influencing factors of blood lead level. The lead fume concentration range was 0.008-0.354 mg/m(3) among 12 measuring points, which 7 places were unqualified, while the concentration range of lead dust was 0.023 - 2.432 mg/m(3), 24 out of 27 measuring places were unqualified, both the qualified rate were low. The blood lead concentration of objects was (259.54 ± 106.62) µg/L, among which 96 people (7.04%) who ≥ 400 µg/L should be identified as suspected "observation object", blood lead concentration ≥ 600 µg/L was not found. The blood lead concentration of male (279.76 ± 114.93 µg/L) was significantly higher than female (242.44 ± 95.86) µg/L (t = 6.441, P < 0.01). The proportion of ≥ 400 µg/L in male (11.04%, 69/625) was significantly higher than female (3.65%, 27/739) (χ(2) = 28.237, P < 0.01). The blood lead concentration of workers who exposed to lead fume or dust (265.93 ± 103.70) µg/L was significantly higher than those of not exposed to lead (205.30 ± 115.62) µg/L (t = -6.037, P < 0.01), the blood lead concentration of workers who exposed to lead dust was (267.38 ± 98.02) µg/L significantly higher than those of exposed to lead fume (260.81 ± 121.80) µg/L (t = -2.408, P < 0.05). The proportion of ≥ 400 µg/L in workers who exposed to lead fume (dust) (7.60%, 93/1223) was significantly higher than those of not exposed to lead (2.13%, 3/141) (χ(2) = 4.538, P < 0.05). Ordinal multi-categorical logistic stepwise regression found that the lead fume concentration ≥ 0.03 mg/m(3), lead dust concentration ≥ 0.05 mg/m(3) (OR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.06 - 2.39), length of service ≥ 3 years (OR = 1.82, 95%CI: 1.12 - 2.98), smoking (OR = 2.06, 95%CI: 1.27 - 3.37) can increase the level of blood lead concentration. Lead dust concentration of the enterprise exceeded the standard. Workers exposed to lead fume (dust) have more occupational health hazard of lead, of whom the blood lead concentration was high. Higher lead fume (dust) concentration in workplace, longer length of service, smoking were risk factors of high blood lead concentration.

Spatial Variability of Cadmium and Lead in Natural Soils of a Humid Mediterranean Environment: La Rioja, Spain

The concentration levels of cadmium and lead in 250 horizon samples from 125 different soil profiles of undisturbed soils of La Rioja, Spain, were determined. Knowledge of regional contents as well as the variability and background values of trace elements in soils is of critical importance to assess human impact on the soil environment and to determine baseline values and quality standards. Heavy-metal horizontal distribution was mainly affected by the nature of the bedrock and, to a smaller extent, anthropogenic activity. Vertical distributions were mainly of a natural origin depending first on the bedrock and second on the result of soil processes.

Trace Metal Concentrations in The Green-Lipped Mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) Collected From Maheshkhali Channel, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

The green-lipped mussel Perna viridis (L.) were collected from four sampling locations of the Maheshkhali channel, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh to determine the concentration level of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The concentrations (μg/g dry weight) of these trace metals ranged from 28.12 to 33.82 for Zn, 7.26 to 8.81 for Cu, 0.04 to 0.08 for Cd and 0.19 to 0.75 for Pb. The concentrations of trace metals in the mussel tissue were found at lower level than the permissible limits for human consumption. In addition, these metal concentrati-ons are also considered to be low when compared with regional data using P. viridis as a bio-monitoring agent.

A Determination of the Concentration Level of Lead 210PB Isotope in Solid Samples for the Assessment of Radiation Risk Occuring in Coal Mines

Abstract Lead 210Pb, an element of the natural uranium radioactive decay series, is not currently considered a source of radiation risk, especially in a radiation protection system in underground mines in Poland. However, it could be a completely independent element of the radioactive series due to its physical and chemical properties. Routine measurements showed significantly higher than expected concentrations of 210Pb in underground radium rich sediments, based only on the radioactive decay law. This phenomenon implies a need of 210Pb concentration monitoring in such sediments. Nevertheless, the laboratory analysis of 210Pb by gamma radiation spectroscopy is connected with a particular hindrance, the self-attenuation of 210Pb radiation in samples. Current work describes a practical method for obtaining the self-attenuation correction factor in the case of 210Pb concentration analysis. Experimentally obtained correction factors range between 0.51–6.96 cm2/g. Neglecting this factor can cause a significant error or underestimations in radiological risk assessment.

The impact of mining and smelting activities on property values: a study of Mount Isa city, Queensland, Australia

Much publicity has been given to the problem of high levels of environmental contaminants, most notably high blood lead concentration levels among children in the city of Mount Isa because of mining and smelting activities. The health impacts from mining‐related pollutants are now well documented. This includes published research being discussed in an editorial of the Medical Journal of Australia (see Munksgaard et al. 2010). On the other hand, negative impacts on property prices, although mentioned, have not been examined to date. This study rectifies this research gap. This study uses a hedonic property price approach to examine the impact of mining‐ and smelting‐related pollution on nearby property prices. The hypothesis is that those properties closer to the lead and copper smelters have lower property (house) prices than those farther away. The results of the study show that the marginal willingness to pay to be farther from the pollution source is AUS $13 947 per kilometre within the 4 km radius selected. The study has several policy implications, which are discussed briefly. We used ordinary least squares, geographically weighted regression, spatial error and spatial autoregressive or spatial lag models for this analysis.

Comparative assessment of some heavy metals in some inland fresh water fish species from River Niger and River Osara in North Central Nigeria

The concentration levels of Cadmium(Cd), Manganese(Mn), Chromium(Cr), Nickel(Ni), Copper(Cu), Zinc(Zn) and Lead(Pb) were determined in fish fillets of some inland fresh water fish harvested from River Niger at Ajaokuta and River Osara at Itakpe North Central Nigeria. Eighty samples each of Tilapia zillii, Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon galileaus and Clarias anguillaris were collected from both rivers and digested using standard methods. The metals were determined using Unicam 969 Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer fitted with deuterium lamp. The levels of heavy metals detected in the fish fillets of the different species varies with mean concentrations (mg/kg) in the range: Mn, 3.l4±1.125.77±0.95 in Sarotherodon galileaus-5.30±1.48–10.48±2.57 in Tilapia zillii; Zn, 1.06±0.845.67±1.42 in Oreochromis niloticus-2.08±1.13–4.2l±1.80 in Clarias anguillaris; Cu, 1.54±0.65–3.30±0.79 in Tilapia zillii-3.00±1.07–6.23±1.79 in Sarotherodon galileaus; Cr, 1.49±0.71–3.16±0.65 in Tilapia zillii-2.44±0.6l-4.60±2.24 in Clarias anguillaris; Ni, 0.76±0.13–1.56±0.52 in Tilapia zillii-1.74±0.95–3.25±1.19 in Clarias anguillaris; Pb, 0.02±0.03–0.02±0.01 in Tilapia zillii-0.5l±0.09–0.83±0.09in Oreochromis niloticus, and Cd, 0.02±0.01–0.04±0.01 in Tilapia zillii-0.14±0.04–0.18±0.04 in Oreochromis niloticus. The differences in heavy metal levels in the different fish species examined were not significant (p>0.05), except for Mn in Tilapia zillii which was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in other species. This is probably because each fish species concentrated the heavy metals differently. Clarias anguillaris fillets appeared to hold the metals more except for Zn, followed by Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon galileaus, and Tilapia zillii in that order. The detected levels were however below the WHOIFAO guideline limit in food substances, fish and fishery products. The study showed that there were differences in concentrations of Cd, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in fillets of Tilapia zillii, Oreochromis niloticus, Sarotherodon galilaeus and Clarias anguillaris, implying that the fishes concentrated the heavy metals differently. The levels of heavy metals detected in all the fish species were within the natural background levels.

Bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis risk factor in Egyptian male and female battery manufacturing workers

The study was conducted to estimate the relation between lead exposure and the risk of various symptoms of osteoporosis in male and female battery manufacturing workers by using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A total of 18 female and 24 male workers were chosen with the same age range, duty hours per day, work history and weight. A total of 15 healthy controls were chosen with no previous history of bone illness and normal blood lead concentration. Blood lead concentration was measured in all workers and controls. Non-lead elevated subjects were excluded. Bone mineral density was measured by X-ray-based dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan machine. Spine, femur neck and radius sites were studied. Results showed that both male and female workers recorded significant elevated levels of lead concentration accompanied by osteoporosis when compared with control. Interestingly, the data revealed that fracture risk in female was significantly higher than male workers. It was concluded that lead poisoning may act as osteoporosis risk factor or co-factor in female workers by activating the conversion of osteopenia to osteoporosis.

Evaluation of lead concentration levels of children's paly ground in Kaduna State Schools

Leaded paint and lead from exhaust of vehicle have been observed to be the major contributors of lead contamination, resulting to soil contamination. African infants by way of culture have direct contact with contaminated soil. The study investigated, lead contamination of soil in children’s playgrounds of some selected schools in Kaduna State with emphasis on the premises of nursery/primary schools in the State An Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) was the technique used in the investigation. The results obtained from exterior showed some variations from the background lead levels. Schools such as LK-II, HCPS, SPS, showed high variation from background study. HCPS recorded interior mean lead concentration of 137.5±24.6 (127.0-174.0)ppm and exterior mean lead concentration of 145.8±25.0(26.0-348.7)ppm while the established background lead concentration level is within the range of 23.5-38.9ppm. Keywords: Lead concentration, Contamination, background, EDXRF, Children playground, leaded paint, flakes, debris, building foundation, Kaduna State.