International Conference on Environmental Trace Elements Hazards with Emphasis on Lead Poisoning- SKUAST Kashmir-Srinagar India_23-25 September 2014 (original) (raw)

A survey of lead pollution in Chhattisgarh State, central India

Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2006

Lead (Pb) is of major environmental concern due to its toxicological importance. The anthropogenic emission of Pb is at least 100 times higher than natural emissions. Soil and dust are significant sources of Pb exposure. Lead is generally immobile in soil and accumulates in the upper layers. Lead particles may enter homes via shoes, clothes, pets, and windows. Central India is rich in deposits of natural resource materials such as coal, pyrite, dolomite, and alumina that contain Pb and other heavy metals at the trace levels, and the substantial exploitation of these materials has tended to increased contamination of water and geological formations. Here we present data on Pb concentrations in the water, soil and sediment samples (n=158) collected from 70 locations in Chhattisgarh state, Raipur region. Lead concentrations in the surface water (n=44), groundwater (n=44), soils (n=60) and sediments (n=10) ranged from 6 to 1410, 3 to 52, 12.8 to 545, and 31 to 423 lg g )1 , with mean values of 305, 16, 102 and 190 lg g )1 , respectively. Most of the Pb fractions of >80% can be leached out with the chemical extractants EDTA, acetic acid, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Lead has accumulated in the soil clay fraction due to its relatively large surface area and decreases with increasing depth in the soil profile.

Quality and Distribution of Lead and Cadmium in Underground Water of Kashmir

Maintenance of ecosystem based on the biogeochemistry of Kashmir lying at the foothills of Himalayas is not just crucial for its inhabitants but also for down stream Indus river system made up mainly of snowmelt, spring ooze, lake aqua stock of Kashmir. Through an appropriate sampling strategy an area of 13297 Km 2 with a population density of 330 persons/Km 2 was studied. 40 Wells, 20 hand pumps and 30 major springs were selected for measuring 30 in situ and laboratory water quality parameters over a period of 4 years providing base line data on underground water source of Kashmir. The study also encompasses seasonal variations over hydrological cycles and effect of anthropogenic activity. The results indicate the presence of major nutrients (Na + , K + , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+) within WHO thresholds and of trace metal presence of Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cd 2+ , Pb 2+ Co 2+ ; Cd and Pb show elevated amounts irrespective of seasonal changes or dilution by precipitation. This is a cause of concern endangering the fragile ecosystem of this area. Human activity is also aggravating it. A remedy of this problem could be the recourse to a proper and extended study of the composition of soil and biological interactions per se responsible for releasing these contaminants to the hydro cycle.

Environmental lead levels in a coastal city of India: The lead burden continues

Indian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2012

BACKGROUND: Urbanization, rapid industrialization, increased vehicular traffic, and consequent increase in the use of petroleum fuels in India are constantly emitting lead along with other pollutants into the environment. Apart from atmospheric lead, this element is the most widely used in everyday life. Although infants and children are the most susceptible to the effects of lead, adults are also affected to varying degrees and it had ranked as one of the most serious environmental threats to human health. Hence, we must understand the benefits of preventing lead exposure as it reduces treatment costs, increases productivity in industry, and also reduces infant mortality. These are good enough reasons for a nation wide program to prevent lead poisoning. OBJECTIVES: In the view of elevated blood lead levels (BLL) in majority of the school children in the city of Mangalore, we aimed to identify the potential sources of lead in the environment which would have probably caused the elevated BLL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: More than 600 readings were taken throughout the city of Mangalore using X-ray fluorimeter. RESULTS: Our results showed that there were elevated levels of lead in the environment surrounding the battery repair shops, battery recyclers, automotive workshops, and tyre retreaders, but interestingly, the soil around the petrol bunks did not show elevated levels of lead. Among the paints, the yellow paint showed high levels of lead. CONCLUSION: Similar surveys would be useful elsewhere in India and in other developing countries in order to identify the potential sources of lead and to prevent lead poisoning.

Determination of Lead Toxicity in Water Resources of Jabalpur

2013

Environment pollution is a major global problem posing serious risk to man and animals. With exploding problem, increasing industrialization and urbanization, water pollution by agricultural, domestic and industrial sources has become a major concern for the welfare of mankind. In recent times, many water bodies in India have received elevated inputs of heavy metals as a result of an increase in atmospheric deposition. Water bodies receive domestic raw sewage from surrounding habitation and also the activities like cattle washing, cloth washing, bathing and religious activities like idol immersion pave the way for high concentration of hazardous chemicals in the river and ponds water. Water pollution refers to any type of aquatic contamination rendering the water bodies poisoned by toxic chemicals, which affect living organisms and all forms of life. Heavy metals such as Iron, Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Nickel, Cobalt, Copper etc., are important group of environmentally hazardous subst...

Spatial variations in elevated blood lead levels among young children in Mumbai, India

Population Space and Place, 2006

This study examines the impact of living near tidal creeks or industries on blood lead levels among children below three years of age in Mumbai, India. Data were obtained from the National Family Health Survey-2 (NFHS-2) conducted in 1998, which covered a representative sample of the population. Of the 412 children tested for blood lead, 50% had elevated levels (≥10µg/dl). Several areas in Mumbai have higher rates of elevated blood lead levels than we would expect in general. After adjustment for the child's age, standard of living, anaemia, birth order, household type and utensils, children living in industrial areas were 1.7 (95% confidence interval: 1.3–2.8) times as likely to have lead levels ≥10µg/dl compared with children living in non-industrial areas. Similarly, the odds ratio for children living in areas with a tidal creek was 1.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.1–2.2) compared with children from non-tidal creek areas. These findings are of public health concern, as most children in Mumbai are likely to suffer some degree of intellectual impairment as a result of environmental lead exposure. The evidence shows the need for appropriate interventions in reducing the burden of lead poisoning due to environment-related factors, at least in the few areas of the city where it is particularly high. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Toxic metal ions in water and their prevalence in Uttarakhand, India

Water Science & Technology: Water Supply, 2012

Developmental activities, geological reasons and mixing of industrial wastes are responsible for the deteriorating quality of surface and ground water in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The drinking water sources of 13 districts of Uttarakhand have been assessed for the presence of four toxic metal ions (arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead). The health aspects of the four metal ions have also been reviewed according to the prescribed limits set up by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO). The present study reveals the absence of arsenic at almost all stations. Cadmium has been found only at Rudrapur, whereas chromium is found to be present in more than prescribed limits, in Kolti, Mussoorie and Dehradun. Significant presence of lead in the six districts of the state is indicative of the fact that proper management strategy of toxic metal ion remediation is required. Chromium and lead have exceeded the prescribed limit in 1.3 and 4.5% samples, respectively. However, as per BIS standard, cadmium is higher than the prescribed limit in 0.6% samples but according to the WHO standard, cadmium has exceeded in about 26% samples. Out of the total 156 samples analyzed, 6.4 and 33.3% samples have been found to possess the toxic metal ions in more than the prescribed limits as per BIS and WHO guidelines, respectively.

Blood Lead Level (BLL) in the Adult Population of Jodhpur: A Pilot Study

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2015

Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. Routes of exposure to lead include contaminated air, water, soil, food, and consumer products. The possibility of lead exposure in humans is therefore of great significance from health point of view. Occupational exposure is a common known cause of lead poisoning in adults but current status of adults exposed otherwise is not known. School teachers representing wide local population were selected and asked to furnish information regarding possible lead exposure. Blood lead level (BLL) was estimated using anodic stripping voltammetry. The mean BLL was 6.89 ± 9.5 lg/dl (\3.5-[65 lg/dl) in representative adult population. Out of the total 16 % were found to be having BLL [10 lg/dl which has significantly decreased from leaded gasoline era. Those with increased BLL ([10 lg/dl) were found to have common determinants like usage of old metallic pipes for plumbing, water consumption without any purification system, usage of cosmetics and Ayurvedic/herbal medicines.

An investigation of lead in urban environment of Kolkata city, India

Int. J. Exp. Res. Rev., 2017

The lead heavy metal is an important environmental pollutant particularly in the urban areas with high anthropogenic pressure like vehicular and industrial. Its presence in the atmosphere, soil, water and biological systems even in traces can cause serious problems to all living organisms and its bio accumulation in the food chain especially can be dangerous to the human and animal health. The lead accumulation and exposure by human populations through contaminant environment and food chain has been reported widely all over the world. The lead is the well known environmental contaminants which may be deposited on the surfaces and then adsorbed into the tissues of crops and vegetables. Plants can uptake lead by absorbing them from deposits on the parts of the plants exposed to the polluted environment as well as from contaminated soil. In this study we have analyzed the lead contamination in different environmental components like water, soil, road dust, plants, vegetables and fishes in and around Kolkata metropolitan city. There are considerable amount of lead found in every environmental component and its management and remedial measures should be urgently needed for better environmental health in urban environment.

Biomonitoring of Lead in Atmospheric Environment of An Urban Center of the Ganga Plain, India

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2005

Monitoring of atmospheric lead from the Dalbergia sissoo treewas undertaken at Lucknow urban centre of the Ganga Plain, India.Atotal of 26 leaf samples were collected in spring, monsoon and winter seasons from 16 sampling sites and was analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method. Lead concentrations were low in spring season, increased in monsoon to winter seasons and range from 2.1 to 28.2 μg/g (dry wt.). This accumulative response of lead in the tree leaves is directly linked with the exposure time of automobile emission that is considered to be the predominant source for it. Highway localities show higher lead concentrations by a factor of 2 as compared to urban localities. Highest concentration was recorded at Sitapur Road (National Highway No. 24) in winter season. A linear quantitative relationship between urban air-lead levels and lead-in-the Dalbergia sissoo leaves is used to infer the qualitative assessment of present day atmospheric lead pollution. Reported results suggest a drastic reduction in mean lead concentration in Lucknow urban air from 1.32μg/m3 in 1994 to 0.19μg/m3 in 2002. Similarly, mean lead concentration in the tree leaves during winter season also dropped from 17.9 μg/g in 1994 to 8.1 μg/g in 2004. Despite of increasing urban population, urban area, vehicle population and traffic density, the introduction of unleaded-petrol (vehicular fuel) keeps lead level in the urban environment of Lucknow much lower than the past. Like Lucknow, other urban centres of the Ganga Plain are also on way to the exponential increase in pressure of urbanization. An appropriate urban public transport planning is required to provide healthy atmospheric environment for millions of people especially future young generation.