EFFECT OF LOCAL HONEY PRODUCTION AREAS ON ITS CONTENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS

This study was conducted to estimate some heavy metals cadmium, lead, nickel and iron in 15 samples of Iraqi honey with 3 replicates for each sample which were collected from apiaries near potential contamination areas in five Iraqi governorates, including Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Diyala and Salah al-Din. The atomic absorption technique was used to estimate the concentrations of heavy metals, the results showed that there were significant differences at (P≤0.05) between the concentrations of these elements in the honey samples, the highest concentrations of cadmium 0.123 mg/kg were recorded in Baghdad, near the petrochemical production complex, lead 4.657 mg/kg and nickel 0.023 mg/kg in Babylon near the power plant, iron was 1.863 mg/kg in Karbala near the waste collection and incineration plant, and all the concentrations of cadmium and lead in the studied honey samples were higher than the acceptable limits set by the European Commission Regulation.

EFFECT OF LOCAL HONEY PRODUCTION AREAS ON ITS CONTENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to estimate some heavy metals cadmium, lead, nickel and iron in 15 samples of Iraqi honey with 3 replicates for each sample which were collected from apiaries near potential contamination areas in five Iraqi governorates, including Baghdad, Karbala, Babylon, Diyala and Salah al-Din. The atomic absorption technique was used to estimate the concentrations of heavy metals, the results showed that there were significant differences at (P≤0.05) between the concentrations of these elements in the honey samples, the highest concentrations of cadmium 0.123 mg/kg were recorded in Baghdad, near the petrochemical production complex, lead 4.657 mg/kg and nickel 0.023 mg/kg in Babylon near the power plant, iron was 1.863 mg/kg in Karbala near the waste collection and incineration plant, and all the concentrations of cadmium and lead in the studied honey samples were higher than the acceptable limits set by the European Commission Regulation.

Evaluation of some trace elements in sera of asthma patients: a case control study.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic in&#64258;ammatory disease of the airways characterized by recurrent respiratory symptoms of dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, and cough. Aim: This study aims to investigate the concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cr, Ni, and Al in the serum of asthmatic patients. Materials and methods: An atomic absorption technique was used to determine the levels of trace elements. The study included sixty asthmatic patients and ninety healthy individuals as control group their ages ranging from 20 to 45 years. Results: We found a significant increase of the levels of copper, iron, and aluminum by 20%, 54%, and 47% (p<0.01), respectively, in the asthmatic patients as compared with the controls. On the other hand, in comparison with the controls, the levels of zinc, magnesium, manganese, and nickel were found to be significantly decreased (p<0.01) by 24%, 16%, 53%, and 81%, respectively, in the asthmatic patient group. Moreover, chromium level showed non-significant differences (p>0.05) between patients and control group. Conclusions: The increased level of Cu and Fe may reflect their potential role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Furthermore, the serum iron levels tend to be increased as a result of the inflammatory process that occurs in asthma. Low levels of Zn, Mg, and Mn may contribute to allergic diseases due to their role in the synthesis of certain antioxidants or to their effect on the immune system.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Triazole Ligand with Some Transition Metals

The work includes synthesis and characterization of new ligand and its complexes with divalent metal ions such as cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. This project includes firstly, the synthesis of Schiff base by reacting P-aminoacetophenone with 2-amino-6-methylpyridine by the reflux reaction for 6 hr. and at 70 ° C. The second step involves the synthesis azo-Schiff base containing ligand which was prepared by the reaction of the Schiff base with the heterocyclic 1,2,4-triazole. The prepared ligand was characterized using spectroscopic methods such as Infrared spectrum, UV-visible spectrum, 1HNMR and 13CNMR spectrum. In the third step, the ligand complexes were prepared by the reaction between the ligand and the metal ion salts to obtain the related metal complex. Some properties of the prepared compounds were studied such as the solubility. The prepared complexes were characterized using IR spectroscopy, UV-Visible, conductivity, magnetic sensitivity, and the atomic absorption technique was used to determine the percentage of each metal in its complex.

Heavy metals present in Ficus benjamina leaves in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, Mexico

Goals: General: The collection of dust samples deposited on Ficus benjamina leaves in the Guadalajara metropolitan area (GMA) will allow the identification of heavy metals and their spatial distribution. Specific: Identify the most polluted areas of the city and the elements present by means of particle dispersion schemes (maps) made with the data obtained by the atomic absorption technique. Metodología: For the extraction of heavy metals an acid digestion was performed. The samples were previously homogenized. The determination was made on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer model Varian AA 240 FS, with a monochromator of CZERNY-TURNER design, panel of 4 lamps and inert and adjustable nebulization chamber. The technique used was flame (flame) and calibration curves were used. Contribución: The concentrations of the seven metals analyzed Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb and Cr were identified, the most abundant being Cu and Pb. The maps allowed to identify that there are some patterns of distribution of the contamination, such was the case of the Cd, Pb and Zn that are distributed very homogeneously on the Lázaro Cárdenas avenue until reaching the supply market area.

Determination of Lead Levels in Fuel Used for Vehicles in Baghdad City

The wide use of lead compounds as an engine anti-knock reflects conversely on all components of the ecosystem. This study aimed to detect the concentration of lead in various types of gasoline and gas oil that are highly consumed by vehicles. Eight fuel samples were collected from different feul stations distributed in different districts of Baghdad city. These included two gas oil (diesel) stations and three stations for each type of gasoline (leaded and unleaded). Lead was extracted by the modified chemical method, and then flame atomic absorption technique was applied to assay its concentrations. The results indicated that lead levels were within permitted limits (150 mg Lead L-1) recommended by the international agencies. The highest lead mean concentration was 105 mg/L, recorded in Latifiya leaded gasoline, whereas the lowest mean was 3.1mg/L in unleaded gasoline imported from the United Arab Emirate. As for gas oil, lead concentration occurred within a mean of 1.85-2.05 mg/L. The influence of some leaded gasoline improvements, octane booster and octane plus, was estimated, which revealed sharp declines in lead mean concentrationsto values of 1.05 and 5.2 mg/L for Latifiya and Rusafa gasoline, respectively. Furthermore, the daily lead emission was estimated for the registered vehicles in Baghdad and revealed a high concentration of 1837.7 µg lead m-3 for private cars. This study proposes avoiding the addition of lead compounds to fuel, in order to reduce its adverse effects on general health, and raising the awareness of society to this problem.

STUDY THE CONTAMINATION OF SOME CHEMICAL POLLUTANTS IN HOT FOODS STORED IN PLASTIC BAGS AND CONTAINERS

Plastic food containers and bags are classified as the most dangerous food and water contaminants around the world, because of the possibility to transfer the chemicals from it to food as a result of heating. Therefore this study was aimed to estimate the chemical pollutants (heavy metals included lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and zinc) that transfer from plastic food containers and bags to food. Thirty food containers (15 packages and 15 bags) synthesized from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) were purchased from the local market in Baghdad. Cut each into small equal pieces (0.5×0.5) cm and placed in a thermo glass containers then submerged 3 food solution (D.W, 3%, acetic acid, and olive oil). Two thermal treatments were done on it; the first one was carried out by boiling on a hot plate surface for 10 and 15 minutes, and the second by heating in microwave for 5 and 10 minutes, heavy metals were estimated by using Atomic Absorption technique. The results showed the significant difference between the concentration of the elements at level (p<o.o5) in these treatment. Also transfer of heavy elements at zero time was very small percentage and insignificant, and the concentration of heavy metals in three solutions were increased as C>B>A after treated with two thermal treatment. The concentration of all heavy elements in this solution after heating for 10 minutes and heating in microwave for 5 and 10 minutes. Were higher than the acceptable limits by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission (EU).