Health Risk Assessment of Lead in Soils from an Historic Industrial Site in North-East England

The former St. Antony’s Lead Works site, now the central part of an urban recreational park (Walker Riverside Park) in the east end of Newcastle upon Tyne (England, UK), has been assessed based on the Pb concentration in topsoil according to recently derived Category 4 Screening Level (C4SL) for public open space–park (POSpark, 1300 mg/kg). The site was divided into eight sampling areas following its physical layout. In total 79 soil samples were collected, characterised for acidity and organic matter content, and analysed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). The Pb levels in most of the samples, particularly those from the fringes of the site, are below the generic guideline value (down to 70 mg/kg). More than 16% of the samples from nearly all sampling areas, especially those sampling points around the former horizontal condenser flue and main chimney, contain levels of Pb significantly exceeding the limit (up to 206,000 mg/kg). No correlation is found between the Pb concentration in soil samples and their acidity (mostly neutral, pH 7.0 ± 0.5) or organic matter content (15.5 ± 4.1%). Using the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) model (version 1.071), the site-specific risk assessment criteria (SSAC) for Lead (C4SL child), 2862 mg/kg, is obtained based on adjusted exposure frequency and occupancy period. Nearly 9% of the individual sample Pb concentrations (n = 79) across sample locations B, C, D and H are still above the specific value. Further statistical evaluation based on 95% upper confidence limit confirms that the site still represents a potential human health risk. This is because Pb concentrations, from two areas in the centre of the site (sample locations B and C), are greatly over the SSAC specific threshold (sample mean at location B is 12,350 mg/kg and at location C is 11,745 mg/kg).

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

Lead (Pb) exposure from outdoor air pollution: a potential risk factor for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia related to HPV genotypes

Human papillomavirus genotypes (HPVs) have been confirmed to be the major cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) that remains to be one of the most common women cancers around the world. It seems other risk factors have synergistic effects on cervical cancer occurrence including smoking, dietary pattern, sexual behavior, ethnicity, epigenetics, and environmental hazardous materials. Our study characterized the potential cancerous role of lead (Pb) as a common toxic environmental pollutant agent on CIN outcomes. Lead concentration was quantified using an atomic absorption spectrometer in liquid-based cytology specimens of 40 CIN-HPV positive subjects, 50 HPV infected non-cancerous cases, and 43 non-HPV infected/non-cancerous women. Pb concentration was 5.5 (4.7–6.4) μg/dL, 4.7 (4.2–8.7) μg/dL, and 4.7 (4.5–5.4) μg/dL in the CIN-HPV positive group, HPV infected non-cancerous cases, and non-HPV infected/non-cancerous group, respectively. The results showed higher Pb concentration is associated with higher risk for cervical malignancy in comparison with non-HPV infected/non-cancerous subjects, after controlling for age effect (aOR = 4.55, 95% CI: 1.55–15.07, P < 0.01). Our finding suggested a direct significant association between Pb accumulation and CIN existence. The consequences need to be further validated by including more relevant risk factors and controlling the confounders for better understating of Pb impact from outdoor air pollution on cervical cancer progression.

Heavy metal accumulation in marine fishes in Porirua Harbour

<p>Heavy metal or metalloids are common pollutants that are discharged into the aquatic environment by a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, and have the ability to bio- accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms. Fish are among the top consumers in aquatic ecosystems and are widely recognised as bio-indicators for heavy metal pollution. Accumulation of heavy metals is influenced by factors such as species, age, size, and trophic level and can be found in various tissue types, such as muscle and liver tissue. In addition, contaminated fish can pose a threat to human consumers as they can cause acute and chronic disorders. Estuaries are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal pollution as they are as they are a direct recipient of raw sewage, industrial, residential and farming runoff. Estuaries provide essential habitat for a range of species, including fishes that occupy estuaries permanently or seasonally for breeding. Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour (Porirua Harbour) is the largest, and the most significant estuary in the southern North Island of New Zealand. It is a 807 hectare tidal lagoon estuary next to Porirua City and consists of two distinct estuary arms, Onepoto and Pauatahanui. Porirua Harbour once boasted a healthy and diverse ecosystem that supported fishes that are prized by the Ngati Toa as kaimoana. However, heavy metal contamination has become problematic following the introduction of intensive industry and development in the harbour catchment. The aim of this research was to 1) quantify levels of four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg) in the tissue (muscle and liver) of yellow belly flounder (Pātiki, tōtara, Rhombosolea leporina), sand flounder (Pātiki, Rhombosolea plebeia), speckled sole (Peltorhamphus latus), rig shark (Pioke, Makō, Mangō, Mustelus lenticulatus), short-tailed stingray (Whai, Dasyatis brevicaudata), and eagle ray (Whai keo, Myliobatis tenuicaudatus) caught in Porirua Harbour, and look for differences between sexes, tissue types, as well as effects of size and age, 2) examine each fish sampled for general metrics of health (parasite load, skin lesions, etc.) as well as diet, and look for relationships with body burdens of metals, 3) examine maternal offloading of heavy metals from pregnant rig shark to near-term embryos, 4) examine the movement of benthic fishes between the two estuary arms using mark/recapture methods. To assess heavy metal accumulation and movement in benthic fishes, fish were collected and/or tagged over a 4-month period in 2018 (March-August) across 8 sites in Porirua Harbour. Tagged fish were unable to be recovered so conclusions were left undetermined. Overall, liver tissue had the highest levels of heavy metal concentration, with the expectation of Hg being elevated in the muscle tissue of rig shark. There were significant differences observed for species, fish size, with smaller fishes having higher Cu concentration, and larger fish having higher Hg concentrations. There was little to no relationship observed between Zn and Pb concentrations in this study. To investigate the role of maternal offloading of heavy metals from maternal rig shark to their near-term embryos, embryos were collected from the uterus of 13 pregnant females and assessed individually for heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg) concentrations in muscle tissue. Overall, there was no relationship for Cu between the amount in embryos and either the maternal concentration or size. However, Zn and Pb concentration in rig shark embryos were positively related with maternal size. Therefore, size explained embryo Zn and Pb concentration in rig shark embryos, and embryo Hg concentrations were explained by maternal concentrations and size, suggesting maternal offloading of Hg might be occurring in rig shark. The results of this thesis support prior research findings of heavy metal accumulation depending primarily on the tissue type, fish size and is metal and species specific. This research adds to the currently lacking information on heavy metal accumulation in these study species, and will aid the ongoing monitoring of Porirua Harbour by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council.</p>

Heavy metal accumulation in marine fishes in Porirua Harbour

<p>Heavy metal or metalloids are common pollutants that are discharged into the aquatic environment by a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources, and have the ability to bio- accumulate in the tissues of marine organisms. Fish are among the top consumers in aquatic ecosystems and are widely recognised as bio-indicators for heavy metal pollution. Accumulation of heavy metals is influenced by factors such as species, age, size, and trophic level and can be found in various tissue types, such as muscle and liver tissue. In addition, contaminated fish can pose a threat to human consumers as they can cause acute and chronic disorders. Estuaries are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal pollution as they are as they are a direct recipient of raw sewage, industrial, residential and farming runoff. Estuaries provide essential habitat for a range of species, including fishes that occupy estuaries permanently or seasonally for breeding. Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour (Porirua Harbour) is the largest, and the most significant estuary in the southern North Island of New Zealand. It is a 807 hectare tidal lagoon estuary next to Porirua City and consists of two distinct estuary arms, Onepoto and Pauatahanui. Porirua Harbour once boasted a healthy and diverse ecosystem that supported fishes that are prized by the Ngati Toa as kaimoana. However, heavy metal contamination has become problematic following the introduction of intensive industry and development in the harbour catchment. The aim of this research was to 1) quantify levels of four heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg) in the tissue (muscle and liver) of yellow belly flounder (Pātiki, tōtara, Rhombosolea leporina), sand flounder (Pātiki, Rhombosolea plebeia), speckled sole (Peltorhamphus latus), rig shark (Pioke, Makō, Mangō, Mustelus lenticulatus), short-tailed stingray (Whai, Dasyatis brevicaudata), and eagle ray (Whai keo, Myliobatis tenuicaudatus) caught in Porirua Harbour, and look for differences between sexes, tissue types, as well as effects of size and age, 2) examine each fish sampled for general metrics of health (parasite load, skin lesions, etc.) as well as diet, and look for relationships with body burdens of metals, 3) examine maternal offloading of heavy metals from pregnant rig shark to near-term embryos, 4) examine the movement of benthic fishes between the two estuary arms using mark/recapture methods. To assess heavy metal accumulation and movement in benthic fishes, fish were collected and/or tagged over a 4-month period in 2018 (March-August) across 8 sites in Porirua Harbour. Tagged fish were unable to be recovered so conclusions were left undetermined. Overall, liver tissue had the highest levels of heavy metal concentration, with the expectation of Hg being elevated in the muscle tissue of rig shark. There were significant differences observed for species, fish size, with smaller fishes having higher Cu concentration, and larger fish having higher Hg concentrations. There was little to no relationship observed between Zn and Pb concentrations in this study. To investigate the role of maternal offloading of heavy metals from maternal rig shark to their near-term embryos, embryos were collected from the uterus of 13 pregnant females and assessed individually for heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg) concentrations in muscle tissue. Overall, there was no relationship for Cu between the amount in embryos and either the maternal concentration or size. However, Zn and Pb concentration in rig shark embryos were positively related with maternal size. Therefore, size explained embryo Zn and Pb concentration in rig shark embryos, and embryo Hg concentrations were explained by maternal concentrations and size, suggesting maternal offloading of Hg might be occurring in rig shark. The results of this thesis support prior research findings of heavy metal accumulation depending primarily on the tissue type, fish size and is metal and species specific. This research adds to the currently lacking information on heavy metal accumulation in these study species, and will aid the ongoing monitoring of Porirua Harbour by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council.</p>

Assessment of heavy metals and potential health risks associated with the consumption of vegetables grown on the roadside soils

Vegetables cultivated near roads absorb toxic metals from polluted soil, which enter into the human body through the food chain and cause serious health problems to humans. The present study investigated the contamination level of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in soils and vegetables grown along the roadside of District Swat, Pakistan, and the health risks associated with the consumption of the tested vegetables have been investigated. The plant samples were collected from the cultivated field within a 120-meter range from the roadside. Spinacia oleracea, Allium cepa, Rumex dentatus, and Trachyspermum ammi were selected based on their importance as vegetables. In results, Pb concentration was higher in plants located at the distance between 0-10 m away from the roadside than the WHO permissible limit. In such plants, Pb concentration was higher than Ni. Rumex dentatus contained the highest concentration of Pb among the tested vegetables while Ni concentration was highest in Trachyspermum ammi as compared to other plants. Concentration and accumulation of both the metals decreased in soil and plants with increasing distance from the road. Similarly, target hazard quotient values noted for Pb and Ni were greater than unity, which shows that there is a potential risk associated with the consumption of tested vegetables near the road. Moreover, the values of target cancer risk were greater than 0.0001, which shows that there is a risk of cancer with the consumption of tested vegetables. In conclusion, the consumption of the tested vegetables was very dangerous as it may lead to higher risks of cancer.

Efektivitas Kombinasi Kitosan dan Ampas Teh Sebagai Adsorben Alami dalam Menurunkan Konsentrasi Timbal Pada Limbah Cair PT PXI

ABSTRAKLogam berat merupakan salah satu bahan kimia berbahaya yang dapat menimbulkan bahaya bagi lingkungan dan makhluk hidup karena memiliki toksisitas yang tinggi dan tidak dapat terbiodegradasi sehingga menjadi bioakumulasi pada rantai makanan. Dalam limbah cair yang dihasilkan pada industri tekstil terdapat salah satu logam berat yaitu timbal (Pb) yang digunakan sebagai pengikat zat warna. Salah satu metode penghilangan logam berat pada limbah cair yaitu metode adsorpsi menggunakan biosorben. Biosorben yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah campuran antara kitosan dan karbon aktif dari ampas teh. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk menentukan efektivitas penurunan konsentrasi Pb menggunakan adsorben alami dengan kombinasi kitosan dan ampas teh. Tahap awal dilakukan pengujian kandungan logam berat pada PT PXI dan diperoleh kandungan awal logam Pb sebesar 1,02 mg/L. Kemudian dilakukan sintesis adsorben hasil kombinasi kitosan dan karbon aktif dari ampas teh. Hasil karakterisasi diperoleh kadar karbon terikat sebesar 78,09%. Karakterisasi dilanjutkan untuk mengetahui sifat fisika dan kimia biosorben dilakukan menggunakan FTIR dan SEM-EDS. Hasil karakterisasi menggunakan FTIR didapatkan gugus fungsi O-H yang berperan dalam proses adsorpsi, hasil SEM-EDS menunjukan peningkatan kualitas struktur pori dan komposisi unsur dari kitosan yang telah di sintesis dengan ampas teh. Biosorben kombinasi kitosan dan karbon aktif dari ampas teh diaplikasikan sebagai adsorben dalam penghilangan logam berat Pb pada limbah industri tekstil PT PXI dengan variasi massa adsorben. Analisa konsentrasi Pb dilakukan menggunakan AAS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dengan penambahan karbon aktif ampas teh sebesar 1,4 gr menghasilkan persen efektivitas tertinggi dalam penghilangan logam berat Pb sebesar 90,6% dan dapat menurunkan konsentrasi hingga 0.1 mg/L sehingga dapat memenuhi baku mutu yang dipersyaratkan.ABSTRACTHeavy metal is one of the hazardous chemicals that can pose a danger to the environment and living things because it has high toxicity and cannot be biodegraded so that it becomes bioaccumulation in the food chain. In the liquid waste produced in the textile industry there is one heavy metal, namely lead (Pb) which is used as a dye binder. One method of removing heavy metals in liquid waste is the adsorption method using a biosorbent. The biosorbent used in this research is a mixture of chitosan and activated carbon from tea dregs. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of reducing Pb concentration using a natural adsorbent with a combination of chitosan and tea dregs. The initial stage was testing the heavy metal content of PT PXI, the initial Pb content was 1.02 mg/L. Then the synthesis of the adsorbent resulting from the combination of chitosan and activated carbon from tea dregs was carried out. The results of the characterization obtained bound carbon content of 78.09%. Characterization was continued to determine the physical and chemical properties of biosorbents using FTIR and SEM-EDS. The results of characterization using FTIR obtained O-H functional groups that play a role in the adsorption process, the SEM-EDS results showed an increase in the quality of the pore structure and elemental composition of chitosan that had been synthesized with tea dregs. Biosorbent combination of chitosan and activated carbon from tea dregs was applied as an adsorbent in the removal of heavy metal Pb in textile industry waste PT PXI with variations in adsorbent mass. Pb concentration analysis was carried out using AAS. The results showed that the addition of 1.4 g of tea dregs activated carbon produced the highest percentage of effectiveness in the removal of heavy metal Pb by 90.6% and could reduce the concentration to 0.1 mg/L so that it could meet the required quality standards.

Levels and Influencing Factors of Heavy Metals in Human Hairs from Five Provinces in China

Heavy metal concentrations were measured in 150 human hairs samples collected from five provinces in China to investigate heavy metal exposure levels and influencing factors. The gender, age, diet and lifestyle habits of the volunteers were investigated through questionnaires to analyze their effects on hair element concentrations. Metal concentrations in hair were 1.62 μg/g (Mn), 0.99 μg/g (Co), 0.22 μg/g (Cd) and 8.49 μg/g (Pb), which were low compared with those reported in mine contaminated areas. Cd concentration was higher in females than males, Pb concentration was lower in the elder group and the younger group. No difference of Cd and Co concentrations among rice consumers and/or wheat consumers was found. Pb concentration in rice consumers were higher than those in rice and/or wheat consumers. Fish consumption were a factor affecting hair Cd and Pb levels, while smoking was not one main pathway of hair Cd and Pb exposure.

Determination of Heavy Metals in Surface Water, Sediments and Planktons at the Junction of Multiple Rivers (Punjnad Headworks) and Their Impact on Human Health

This study was conducted to calculate the burden of heavy metals i.e., aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) in the river water of Punjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Pakistan. For this purpose, samples were collected from surface water, bed sediments and planktons during autumn, winter and spring seasons (September 2018 to May 2019). The results showed that in surface water Pb concentration was highest (453.87 mg L-1), while in sediments and plankton, Al concentration was highest (370.24 µg g-1 and 315.05 µg g-1, respectively). A significant difference (p < 0.000) in metal concentrations was found among surface water, bed sediments and plankton at different sampling stations during various seasons. However, findings of this study showed no adverse effects of heavy metal concentrations on human health. This study provided better understanding of various pollutants and their concentrations in water sources at the studied location.