Pb In Air Research Articles

Different exposure profile of heavy metal and health risk between residents near a Pb-Zn mine and a Mn mine in Huayuan county, South China

Heavy metal contamination of environmental media in mining area is a global major concern because of its potential threat for human health through food chain. However, the comparison of exposure level and health risk is scarce among people living in the vicinity of mining area with different pollution source. In this study, the concentrations of Mn, Cd, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni in soil, air, water, rice, vegetable, fish, poultry meat and pork from a Pb-Zn mining area and a Mn mining area in Huayuan county, China were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed that the environmental media and foodstuffs in the two areas were contaminated by Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr and Ni. However, the pollution was more serious in Pb-Zn mining area than Mn mining area. The total hazard index (HI) was 6.59 and 4.55 in Pb-Zn mining area and Mn mining area, respectively, indicating a moderate non-carcinogenic risk of local people. As intake via rice ingestion was the predominant contributor to the total HI in the two mining areas, accounting for 25% and 35%, respectively. For Pb-Zn mining area, Cd intake through vegetable consumption and Mn intake via air inhalation appeared to be another two important components contributing to HI. This study highlights the multi-element and multi-pathway exposure assessment to evaluate the potential health risk and emphasizes concerns to reduce As and Cd in agricultural products as well as Mn in air to decrease the detrimental health effects of local resident.

Provenance of lead (Pb) in soils in the Mt Isa urban area

This paper integrates more than 50 years of geological, geochemical and environmental research relevant to the Pb content of soils in Mt Isa to clarify the role of soil as a potential pathway for Pb exposure to local residents. Most of Mt Isa is underlain by thin residual soils that formed by weathering of the Proterozoic Mt Isa Group (MIG). The MIG contains carbonate and volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks largely derived from contemporaneous and earlier cycles of igneous activity and minor detritus from an Archean basement. The upper part of the MIG contains stratiform Pb ore deposits that are about 1650 Ma old. Deformation and erosion have exposed these rocks to weathering and soil forming processes several times since the Proterozoic, with the current landform developing over the last 20 Ma. Soil formation has generally depleted Pb from the subsoil and enriched the top soil. Pb has been widely distributed to the northwest and north of the city in wind-blown dust and water runoff from outcrops of oxidised ore for millions of years. Additional Pb emissions from smelting commenced at Mt Isa in 1931. Most of the urban area receives 50–100 mg/m2/yr of Pb from dust deposition and some of this is resuspended or washed away. Additional Pb in mine waste rock and contaminated river sand was brought into the residential area as fill or for sandpits. The Mt Isa community is exposed to Pb in air at levels regulated to minimise health effects of inhalation and ingestion. The observed Pb levels in air generally correlate with distance from the mine but not with the distribution of children with elevated blood Pb levels. Geological evidence of anomalous soil Pb derived from underlying layers of mineralised rock may partly explain the observed blood Pb distribution.

Lead Level Correlation (Pb) in Blood on Hb Level, Hematocrit, Cystatin C Serum, SGOT and SGPT Serum On Car Paint Workshop in Rungkut, Surabaya

An industrial upgrading will result in a variety of wastes being released into the environment that ultimately impact on public health. One of the hazardous wastes is Pb. The purpose of this research is to know the correlation of Pb in blood to hb level, hematocrit, serum Cystatin C, SGOT and SGPT serum and health complaints on car paint workers of workshop in Rungkut Sub-district Surabaya. This research was an observational research with cross sectional design. Sampling method using simple random sampling. The study sample consisted of 24 people. The result of statistical test shows that there is a correlation of Pb exposure in air to blood Pb level with contribution amount 80% (r = 0.527; p = 0.008). Decreased levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, elevated serum Cystatin C levels, SGOT and SGPT serum and health complaints of nerve and liver function were associated with blood levels of Pb with p <0.05. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that the exposure of Pb in the air has a relationship to the increase of Pb levels in the blood of car paint workers of workshop in Rungkut Sub-district, Surabaya. Keywords: Paint workers of workshop, Pb in air, PB in blood, Hemoglobin, Hematrocrit

Distribution, contents and health risk assessment of metal(loid)s in small-scale farms in the Ecuadorian Amazon: An insight into impacts of oil activities

In the last 50years, oil extraction activities in the Northeast Amazonian Region (NAR) of Ecuador impacted ecosystems and may still affect the local population health. To our knowledge, no previous studies have determined the concentrations of metal(loid)s in the oil Ecuadorian Amazon environment. A total of 15 small farms, located in the Orellana and Sucumbíos provinces, were sampled in order to determine the concentrations of As, Ba, Co, Cu, Cd, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in soils, crops, drinking water and air (PM10). Among non-essential metal(loid)s, Ba concentrations in soils exceeded the Ecuadorian limits of 200mgkg−1 in 53% of the sampling sites. In crops, Cd concentrations in cacao and Pb in manioc exceeded the FAO/WHO recommendations. In drinking water and PM10, regulated metal(loid)s did not exceed the international thresholds. Nevertheless metals such as Ba and Mo showed the highest annual mean concentrations in PM10 in both sampling sites. Natural (bedrock, volcanic ashes) and anthropogenic (oil activities, agrochemical products) sources could explain the high content of some meta(loid)s in the environment. According to the hazard quotient and cancer risk indexes, crops and water ingestion represent 71% and 88% of the exposure pathways for non-carcinogenic elements in adults and children respectively while inhalation is the main exposure pathways for carcinogenic elements for the whole population. Both indexes were 2 to 13 times higher than the US EPA recommended values. However, estimates of exposure pathways should be considered taking into account the risk perception of residents: they may be overestimated for people who are able to change their dietary and/or agricultural practices to limit their exposure, or underestimated in the case of persons who are socio-economically vulnerable and who cannot leave the impacted areas.

The Effects of Lead (Pb) Exposure to Blood Pb Concentration and Hemoglobin Levels in Book Sellers and Street Vendors of Surakarta

Anemia is still a public health problem in the world and in Indonesia. WHO (2008) reported more than 75% of anemia in Asia is iron deficiency and 63.5% anemia in Indonesia is caused by lack of nutrition. Previous studies described that lead (Plumbum /Pb) can decrease hemoglobin levels. Sriwedari markets book sellers and Solo Wholesale Centers street vendors are susceptible populations exposed to Pb as a result of motor vehicle exhaust. Approximately 70% of Pb in vehicle exhausts emissions are emitted into the air. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Pb exposure on blood Pb concentration and hemoglobin levels. This study was a quantitative observational analytic study with cross sectional design conducted in 2015-2016 at Sriwedari Market. Samples were 97 respondents obtained through random sampling and Spearman correlation was used for data analysis. Result showed that there were association between Pb exposure in the air and blood Pb levels (p=0,000; r=0,606) and blood Pb levels and hemoglobin levels (p=0,000; r=-0,623)

Characterization of metal(loid)s in indoor and outdoor PM2.5 of an office in winter period

ABSTRACTThe characterization of indoor (a naturally ventilated office) and outdoor (adjacent courtyard) metals in PM2.5 during a winter period in Xi'an, China were carried out. The results indicated that the average mass concentrations of PM2.5 in indoor and outdoor environments all exceeded the daily average limit of 75 µg m–3 set by the Chinese government. The dominant metals in PM2.5 were Ca, Al, Zn, Mg, Fe, and Pb in both indoor and outdoor air. Concentration of As was much higher than the standard of 6 ng m–3 issued by the government. Enrichment factor analysis showed that anthropogenic emissions might be the primary sources of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn, while crust was the main origin of Co. A majority of indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios of metal were lower than 1 indicating mostly the contribution of outdoor sources rather than indoor ones. As and Cr in both indoor and outdoor air posed the highest noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, respectively. The noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were 2.74 and 2.54 × 10−4 indoor and 4.04 and 3.87 × 10−4 outdoor, which suggested that possible adverse health effects should be of concern.

Flux of fine and coarse particulates and metallic pollutants at a commercial site

ABSTRACTThe concentrations of TSP, PM2.5, PM2.5–10, and metallic elements that are attached to PM particles (Al, Cr, Mn, and Pb) in ambient air were obtained using a PS-1 sampler and a MOUDI sampler from December 2015 to May 2016 at a commercial sampling site in central Taiwan. The mean concentration of coarse particulates and of metallic elements (Al, Cr, Mn, and Pb) attached to them were 28.42 µg/m3 and 472.05, 57.84, 33.66, and 161.08 ng/m3, respectively. The mean concentrations of fine particulates and metallic elements (Al, Cr, Mn, and Pb) that were attached to them were 69.73 µg/m3 and 399.06, 71.27, 39.25, and 220.70 ng/m3, respectively. Finally, the mean concentrations of TSP particulates and metallic elements (Al, Cr, Mn, and Pb) that were attached to them were 91.12 µg/m3 and 548.76, 16.07, 33.30, and 40.58 ng/m3, respectively. The results from this study show that the calculated coarse particulate fluxes for particulates and metallic elements (Al, Cr, Mn, and Pb) attached to them exceeded the calculated fine particulate fluxes. The mean calculated coarse particulate (PM2.5–10)/calculated fine particulate (PM2.5) flux ratio was approximately 6.76, and the corresponding ratios for the metallic elements Al, Cr, Mn, and Pb attached to the particulates were 4.94, 2.83, 2.96, and 2.17, respectively.

Characteristics of Atmospheric Trace Gases, Particulate Matter and Heavy Metal Pollution in Karachi, Pakistan

This study was carried out for determination of Aerosol particulate matter (PM10), trace gases (SO2, NO2, CO) and heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni and Cd) in the atmospheric air of Karachi city. Sampling has been done at thirteen locations between during the year of 2014. The total average concentrations of SO2, NO2, CO and PM10 were 65.9, 98.7, 1.49 and 202.14μg m–3, respectively. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the trace metal concentrations in the PM10 size fraction. The total average concentrations of Cd, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cu and Ni in PM10 were 0.09, 2.55, 2.23, 1.92, 2.15 and 1.44μg m–3 respectively. The Pb concentration in Karachi shows a decreasing tendency, presumably due to the ban on the use of leaded fuel. The overall trace metal concentrations in Karachi are higher than those in European (e.g., Spain, Norway) and East Asian (e.g., Taiwan) locations, but lower than those measured in Southeast Asian (Kanpur, Delhi, Mumbai, India) cities.

A proposed methodology for the assessment of arsenic, nickel, cadmium and lead levels in ambient air

Air quality assessment, required by the European Union (EU) Air Quality Directive, Directive 2008/50/EC, is part of the functions attributed to Environmental Management authorities. Based on the cost and time consumption associated with the experimental works required for the air quality assessment in relation to the EU-regulated metal and metalloids, other methods such as modelling or objective estimation arise as competitive alternatives when, in accordance with the Air Quality Directive, the levels of pollutants permit their use at a specific location. This work investigates the possibility of using statistical models based on Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to estimate the levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in ambient air and their application for policy purposes. A methodology comprising the main steps that should be taken into consideration to prepare the input database, develop the model and evaluate their performance is proposed and applied to a case of study in Santander (Spain). It was observed that even though these approaches present some difficulties in estimating the individual sample concentrations, having an equivalent performance they can be considered valid for the estimation of the mean values – those to be compared with the limit/target values – fulfilling the uncertainty requirements in the context of the Air Quality Directive. Additionally, the influence of the consideration of input variables related to atmospheric stability on the performance of the studied statistical models has been determined. Although the consideration of these variables as additional inputs had no effect on As and Cd models, they did yield an improvement for Pb and Ni, especially with regard to ANN models.

Hubungan Paparan Timbal Dalam Darah dengan Kejadian Hipertensi Pada Pekerja Industri Pengecoran Logam Di Ceper Klaten Tahun 2015

Background: The problem of heavy metal pollution is a serious problem in Indonesia. This metal has been known to be stored in the body for long periods of time as toxins accumulate. Preliminary test results BLL on workers in the metal casting Ceper, found as many as 16 (5.61%) BLL on workers is under (NAB) and 17 (5.28%) workers above (NAB). The research was conducted to determine the relationship between the exposure of lead (Pb) in blood with hypertension in foundry workers CV. Fortification Jaya Batur, Ceper, Klaten. Methods: It was an observational study with Cross Secional design. The population in this study were all workers CV. Jaya fortification. Samples are workers CV. Fortification Jaya who met the inclusion criteria. Gathering data using questionnaires tools, inspection PB in the air using Gravimetry, Pb in the blood examination using AAS (automatic Absorption Spectrophotometer) and hypertension examination tension meter is measured using a needle. Results: The average air Pb 0.13756 mg / dl, the average BLL was 14.38096μg/dl. Chi Square test results showed that there was no relationship between the type of work with hypertension (p = 0.625), There is a relationship between levels of air Pb Pb levels in blood (p = 0.019), There is a relationship between levelsof lead in blood with hypertension(p=0.042).Conclusions:Levels of Air Pb Pb levels in the blood affects that can cause hypertension. Keywords: Hypertension, Blood Lead Level, Klaten

Ambient air particle and metallic pollutant dry deposition study at a farmland sampling site during 2013–2014

ABSTRACTIn this study, the concentrations of particulate and metallic pollutants (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn) in ambient air and dry deposits were monitored in daytime sampling periods at a farmland sampling site in central Taiwan from August 2013 to July 2014. Ambient air dry deposition models of dry deposition from ambient air (Noll et al., 2010) were used to determine the differences between measured and modeled concentrations of pollutants in ambient air and dry deposits. The results indicate that the mean calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios obtained using the model of Noll et al. (2010) for 2.5 µm particles and metallic elements (Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb) in ambient air were all less than one in all seasons. The mean calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios obtained using the model of Noll et al. (2010) for particles and metallic elements (Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb) in ambient air were more than one in summer and autumn for particles of all sizes of interest. Finally, the mean calculated/measured dry deposition flux ratios that were obtained using the model of Noll et al. (2010) for metallic elements (Cu, Cr, Cd, Zn, and Pb) reflected the fact that all dry deposition fluxes were underestimated in the winter and spring for all particle sizes of interest.

Assessment of selected metals in the ambient air PM10 in urban sites of Bangkok (Thailand).

Estimating the atmospheric concentrations of PM10-bounded selected metals in urban air is crucial for evaluating adverse health impacts. In the current study, a combination of measurements and multivariate statistical tools was used to investigate the influence of anthropogenic activities on variations in the contents of 18 metals (i.e., Al, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sb, Ba, La, Ce and Pb) in ambient air. The concentrations of PM10-bounded metals were measured simultaneously at eight air quality observatory sites during a half-year period at heavily trafficked roads and in urban residential zones in Bangkok, Thailand. Although the daily average concentrations of Al, V, Cr, Mn and Fe were almost equivalent to those of other urban cities around the world, the contents of the majority of the selected metals were much lower than the existing ambient air quality guidelines and standard limit values. The sequence of average values of selected metals followed the order of Al > Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Mn > Ba > V > Sb > Ni > As > Cr > Cd > Se > Ce > La > Co > Sc. The probability distribution function (PDF) plots showed sharp symmetrical bell-shaped curves in V and Cr, indicating that crustal emissions are the predominant sources of these two elements in PM10. The comparatively low coefficients of divergence (COD) that were found in the majority of samples highlight that site-specific effects are of minor importance. A principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that 37.74, 13.51 and 11.32 % of the total variances represent crustal emissions, vehicular exhausts and the wear and tear of brakes and tires, respectively.

Influence of abatement of lead exposure in Croatia on blood lead and ALAD activity

We evaluated the effect of lead (Pb) abatement measures in Croatia on blood lead (BPb) concentrations, and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity in blood, as a sensitive indicator of early Pb effect. Data on BPb and ALAD activity were obtained from 829 Croatian men (19-64 years of age), with no known occupational exposure to metals. Data obtained in 2008-2009, after the ban of leaded gasoline in Croatia in 2006, were compared with similar data collected in 1981 and 1989, when the concentration of Pb in gasoline was 0.6 g/L. Our results showed a highly significant (p < 0.001) decrease in median BPb from 114.5 (range, 46.0-275.0) μg/L in 1981/1989 to 30.3 (range, 3.2-140.8) μg/L in 2008-2009 and an increase in median ALAD activity from 49.8 (range, 24.9-79.4) EU in 1981/1989 to 60.9 (range, 35.8-84.0) EU in 2008-2009. Individual factors influencing BPb values were, in the order of decreasing importance, Pb in ambient air (APb), alcohol consumption, age, and smoking. Increased ALAD activity was significantly associated with the decrease of APb, alcohol consumption, and smoking. These results show that lead abatement measures had a positive impact on both BPb concentrations (73.5% decrease) and the activity of ALAD (22.1% increase) in general population. Our results contribute to growing evidence that ALAD activity may be used as one of the earliest and sensitive diagnostic biomarkers of low-level Pb exposure.

Contamination of Lead and Mercury in Coal Basin of India

The coal is contaminated with toxic metals at the trace levels. They are released into the environment during mining, handling and burning of coal. The Korba basin has one of the largest coal exploitation areas in the country. In this work, contamination and sources of toxic metals i.e. Hg and Pb in the air, soil and sediment of the Korba basin, India are described. The concentration of Hg and Pb in the ambient air was ranged from 7.4 - 29 and 7.0 - 585 ng/m3 with mean value of 18 ± 4 and 129 ± 104 ng/m3 in the winter season. The mean concentration of Hg in the soil and sediment was 0.22 ± 0.03 and 0.44 ± 0.08 mg/kg, respectively. The higher concentration of Pb in the environmental samples was observed.

Alluvial and riparian soils as major sources of lead exposure in young children in the Philippines: the role of floods.

The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence and sources of high lead (Pb) exposure among children in Bulacan, Philippines. A total of 150 children (6-7 years old) and their caregivers were studied. Lead was analyzed in children hair and deciduous teeth. Sources of lead exposure were determined by caregiver interview and Pb analysis of house soil, drinking faucet water, air, and water from seven Bulacan rivers. Lead was positive in 91.3% of children's hair (MC or median concentration = 8.9 μg/g; range = 0-38.29), in 46.2% of the teeth (MC = 0.000 μg/mg in positive samples; range = 0.00-0.020), in 100% of soil (MC = 27.06 mg/kg; range = 3.05-1155.80), in 21.1% of air (MC = 0 μg/Ncm; range = 0-0.10), in 4% of house, faucet water (MC = 0.0 ppm; range = 0-40). There was a significant correlation (Spearman's rho) between Pb in children's hair and soil (r = 0.195; p = 0.017) and between Pb in house water and outdoor air (r = 0.616; p = 0.005). There is no significant correlation between Pb in children's hair and teeth. None of the potential sources of Pb from interview were related to lead exposure in the children. Water from seven Bulacan rivers was 100% positive for lead (MC = 70.00 ppb; range = 30-90). Widespread flooding with river overflow occurred in Bulacan in 2009 which likely caused lead contamination of the soil. There was no significant difference in the lead concentration of the soil whether near or far from the river (p = 0.205, Mann-Whitney U test). High lead exposure in children in Bulacan is likely from soil contaminated by lead-polluted rivers during flooding. In areas where flooding is common, alluvial and riparian soils from polluted rivers are important sources of lead exposure in children.

Health Risk Assessments Based on Existing Data of Arsenic, Chromium, Lead, and Zinc in China's Air

ABSTRACTHealth risk assessments of As, Cr, Pb, and Zn in air in China were carried out from a national perspective. Concentrations of the four metals in air were gathered from published literature. Health risk assessment models recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) were applied to quantitatively characterize risk values of the metals by considering different age groups. Results showed that the atmospheric metal concentrations in most regions of China were lower than their inhalation reference concentrations provided by the USEPA, or limited values provided by China. Non-carcinogenic hazard values of the four metals in different regions of China were all lower than 1, indicating no or low non-carcinogenic hazard. However, the probabilities of carcinogenic risk values for As and Cr exceeding the acceptable value (1.0E-05) were 9% and 10% on a national scale, respectively. Some regions, such as Shanxi, Chongqing, Liaoning, and Shanghai, should be studied in more detail. Despite uncertainties, the results of this study provide information on the health risk of As, Cr, Pb, and Zn in air in China.

Canonical Variate Analysis of Chlorophyll Content in Plants Exposed to Different Lead Concentrations in Ambient Air Conditions/ Analiza Zmiennych Kanonicznych Zawatości Chlorofilu W Roślinach Eksponowanych Na Różne Stężenia Ołowiu W Powietrzu Atmosferycznym

Streszczenie Praca prezentuje rezultaty biomonitoringu ołowiu w zróżnicowanych warunkach środowiskowych. Do oceny zawartości poziomu ołowiu wykorzystano rośliny życicy wielokwiatowej. Dodatkowo w liściach oznaczono zawartość chlorofilu (a+b, a oraz b) w świeżej masie. Rośliny eksponowano w okresie wegetacyjnym roku 2011 na pięciu stanowiskach badawczych różniących się parametrami środowiskowymi oraz w warunkach kontrolnych. Rośliny eksponowano w 28-dniowych okresach badawczych. Wyniki zawartości Pb oraz poziomów chlorofili w różnych miejscach ekspozycyjnych oraz seriach testowano z zastosowaniem wielowymiarowej analizy wariancji. Wykazano zmienność zawartości Pb oraz poziomów wszystkich form chlorofilu w różnych miejscach ekspozycyjnych i seriach. Najniższe zawartości ołowiu oraz najwyższe poziomy wszystkich form chlorofilu zaobserwowano na stanowisku podmiejskim. W pracy wykazano przydatność analizy zmiennych kanonicznych do graficznej prezentacji wyników biomonitoringu powietrza.

Assessment of genotoxic effects of lead in occupationally exposed workers.

The genotoxicological effects in 200 lead acid storage battery recycling and manufacturing industry workers in Hyderabad along with matched 200 controls were studied. The genetic damage was determined by comet, micronucleus (MN), and chromosomal aberration (CA) test in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The MN test was also carried out in buccal epithelial cells (BECs). Pb in ambient air, blood Pb (B-Pb) concentrations, and hematological parameters were measured. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) formed were also studied. The results of the present study showed that there was a statistically significant (P < 0.01) increase in mean percent tail DNA, frequency of CA, and MN in PBL as well as in BEC as compared to controls. Pb in ambient air and B-Pb concentrations were found to be significantly higher (P < 0.01). The hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell values were significantly lowered in Pb-exposed workers in comparison to controls. SOD, GPx, and CAT levels were significantly decreased while GSH and MDA levels increased in exposed group when compared to control group. The present study suggests that environmental health standards should be enforced to control Pb contamination from battery industries to reduce human health risk.

Reconstruction of historical atmospheric Pb using Dutch urban lake sediments: A Pb isotope study

Lake sediments provide a record of atmospheric Pb deposition and changes in Pb isotope composition. To our knowledge, such an approach has not previously been performed in The Netherlands or linked to national air monitoring data. Results are presented for Pb content and isotope composition of 137Cs dated lake sediments from 2 Dutch urban lakes. Between 1942 and 2002A.D. anthropogenic atmospheric Pb deposition rates in the two lakes varied from 12±2 to 69±16μgcm−2year−1. The rise and fall of leaded gasoline is clearly reflected in the reconstructed atmospheric Pb deposition rates. After the ban on leaded gasoline, late 1970s/early 1980s, atmospheric Pb deposition rates decreased rapidly in the two urban lakes and the relative contributions of other anthropogenic Pb sources — incinerator ash (industrial Pb) and coal/galena — increased sharply. Atmospheric Pb deposition rates inferred from the lake record a clear relationship with nearby measured annual mean air Pb concentrations. Based on this relationship it was estimated that air Pb concentrations between 1942 and 2002A.D. varied between 5 and 293ng/m3.

Lead Exposure and Blood Pressure among Workers in Diverse Industrial Plants in Kenya

The study evaluated airborne exposures and blood lead (BPb) levels in 233 production workers at six diverse industrial plants in Kenya. Blood and personal breathing zone air samples were collected and analyzed for lead (Pb) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Blood pressure (BP) levels were measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. The results indicated mean airborne Pb levels ± standard deviation (SD) as follows: 183.2 ± 53.6 μg/m3 in battery recycling, 133.5 ± 39.6 μg/m3 in battery manufacturing, 126.2 ± 39.9 μg/m3 in scrap metal welding, 76.3 ± 33.2 μg/m3 in paint manufacturing, 27.3 ± 12.1 μg/m3 in a leather manufacturing, and 5.5 ± 3.6 μg/m3 in a pharmaceutical plant. The mean airborne Pb levels exceeded the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL) for Pb of 50 μg/m3 in the battery manufacturing, battery recycling, welding, and paint manufacturing plants. Similarly, mean BPb concentrations exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) biological exposure index (BEI) for Pb of 30 μg/dl. A significant positive association was observed between BPb and breathing zone air Pb (R2 = 0.73, P < 0.001). Approximately 30% of the production workers (N = 233) were in the hypertensive range with an average systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) of 134.7 ± 12.7 mmHg and 86.4 ± 8.9 mmHg, respectively. In the multivariate regression analysis, age, duration of work, airborne Pb and BPb levels were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with a change in BP. We recommend improved engineering controls, work practices, and personal hygiene to reduce Pb exposures. In addition, workers should undergo comprehensive medical surveillance to include BPb and BP testing, and airborne Pb assessments in all industries with significant lead exposures.