Estimation of urinary delta aminolevulinic acid levels in gasoline and petrol pump workers as an index of lead exposure

Lead poisoning is a phenomenon which with growing globalization is being a subject of worry.ALA i.e Amino levulinic acid is a precursor of hemoglobin, which is synthesized in mitochondria by two main components succinyl Co-A and glycine in presence of ALA-S i.e. amino levulinic acid-synthase. Urinary ALA (ALA-U) has been a recommended biomarker for lead exposure. Inhibition of Amino levulinic acid-dehydratase (ALA-D) results into activation of ALA-S which further synthesizes ALA, excess of ALA is accumulated in the blood, plasma, urine. Present manuscript is focused on the estimation of levels of ALA in the urine of gasoline and pertol pump workers, by acidifying the urine to extract out ALA and reading it colorimetrically as they are exposed to fumes released by gasoline, petrol, and petroleum products which contains lead. Awareness and safety measures such as protective masks and gears should be provided by the respective organisations to the workers.

Determination of the Toxic Dose of Experimental Lead Poisoning for Male Goats in Fallujah City, Iraq

This study aimed to induce lead poisoning experimentally in male goats to determine the toxic dose and investigate it is effects on hematological parameters, and the functions of the liver and kidney. The experiment was performed on 15 male goats, aged between 3 – 5 months with a mean weighing 13±0.65 kg. Goats were divided into five equal groups, the first represented the control group given tap water, while the other groups were given orally (by stomach tube) 70,100,200 and 400 mg/kg B.W. of lead acetate respectively, for 5 days. Blood was collected weekly for 4 weeks to estimate the concentrations of lead, hematological and biochemical analysis. The results indicated a significantly (P≤0.05) increase of lead(0.738±0.07ppm), only in goats which received 400 mg Pb/kg B.W of lead with symptoms included: depression, dullness, anemia, muscle twitching, staggering, and teeth grinding, with a significant reduction in erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin 10.391±0.41*106/ml, 25.5±0.55%, and 8.30±0.19g/dl respectively, compared with the control ones. Also, increase in total white blood cell count to 9.098±0.08*103/ml, neutrophils 39.07±0.93%, monocytes 1.88±0.07%, and eosinophils 4.82±0.05%. The same group results showed significant elevations in the activities of liver enzymes; ALT 59.9±0.20u/l, AST 243±1.3u/l, in addition, the serum levels of creatinine and urea were also increased indicating renal frailer 1.96±0.05 mg/dl and 29.78±0.34 mg/dl respectively. In summary, this is the first study that proved the toxic dose of lead poisoning for male goats in Iraq and estimate their hazardous results on the hematological and chemobiological analyses on goats.

A review on lead toxicity in Khartoum State-Sudan

A review on lead toxicity in Khartoum State-Sudan This article is an extensive review for lead toxicity in the Sudan. It reveals that a little has been done in this important issue in the Sudan, compared to other countries. Some researches appear in this review, have studied lead poisoning in school children, citizens of Khartoum state, occupational districts( such as printing presses) and Lead (Pb) concentration in air, food and some Nile fish Species. The results of this J study, indicate an elevated levels of lead in the Sudan, compared to the standard levels in other countries such as USA and Germany

Blood lead concentrations among pediatric patients with abdominal pain: a prospective cross-sectional study

Background Lead exposure is one of the most menacing of environmental exposures, particularly in children. Children are more susceptible to the effects of lead which manifest in many organ systems, including interference with mental and motor development. Lead poisoning can cause colicky abdominal pain. In this study, the authors sought to evaluate the prevalence of elevated blood lead level (BLL) and its contributing factors among pediatric patients presenting with abdominal pain. An epidemic of lead poisoning in adults was previously uncovered, and thus a concern for pediatric lead poisoning was raised. Methods Pediatric patients presenting to two pediatric clinics in Tehran with abdominal pain were eligible for enrollment in a descriptive prospective cross-sectional study. A predesigned questionnaire was filled for each patient by their consenting parents. The questionnaire queried demographic information, environmental, social, and other relevant parameters for lead exposure. After completion of the questionnaire, biometrics were obtained, and a blood sample was taken from each patient for measurement of BLL and complete blood count. Results A total of 187 patients were enrolled in the study. Of them, almost 20% had BLL ≥ 5 µg/dL. Univariate analysis showed that age (p = 0.002, OR 3.194, CI 95% 1.504–6.783), weight (p = 0.009, OR 2.817, CI 95% 1.266–6.269), height (p = 0.003, OR 3.155, CI 95% 1.443–6.899), and playing with both plastic and cotton toys (p = 0.03, OR 2.796, CI 95% 1.072–7.295) were significant predictors of high BLLs. Maternal level of education correlated with blood lead concentrations (p = 0.048, OR 2.524, CI 95% 1.006–6.331). Conclusions A clinically significant number of cases of abdominal pain may have high BLLs. Specific attention should be paid to children presenting with abdominal pain, especially due to the detrimental effects of lead on their mental and motor development.

Truer Facts Through Stronger Values: Confronting Science's Sociopolitical Realities

Assaults on science have led scientists to demand “politics-free/values-free” science that safeguards science against error by grounding it in “politically neutral” evidence. Considering racial disparities in lead poisoning, HIV/AIDS, and COVID-19, we show the solution is doomed. Politically charged beliefs are essential for assessing public-health research; thus, the beliefs’ truth affects the research's accuracy. However, science's sociopolitical uses systematically distort politically charged beliefs. Since errors assimilate into our scientific corpus and inform new hypotheses, scientists need accurate sociopolitical theories of distorting forces to identify errors. Analyzing Black-Panther opposition to violence research, we argue since racial disparities structure society and science has been distorted to buttress racial inequities, knowledgeable anti-racist scientists exert corrective forces on research. They hold accurate politically charged beliefs about sociopolitical forces shaping science and health, and are committed to eradicating distortions. Thus, rather than quarantining politically charged beliefs, scientists should sharpen their sociopolitical theories and normative commitments.