Evaluation of lead levels in biological samples of mentally retarded children in different stages using advanced extraction method

Biomonitoring chronic lead exposure among battery manufacturing workers in Tunisia

The aim of the study was the biomonitoring of the chronic exposure to Pb by measuring its levels in blood, urine, and hair of battery workers. Blood lead (BPb), urinary lead (UPb), hair lead (HPb), and urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (UALA) levels were determined for 52 workers in a battery plant and compared to those of 20 non-occupational exposed subjects (controls). BPb and UPb levels were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). HPb levels were measured by triple quadrupole ICP-MS and UALA levels were determined using cation exchanger column. The measured levels were significantly higher compared to the controls exceeding the OSHA cutoff values (p < 0.01). The GM mean levels of BPb, UPb, UALA, and HPb of workers were 715 μg L^-1, 331 μg L^-1, 16.3 mg g^-1, and 234 μg g^-1, respectively. The GM mean levels of BPb, UPb, UALA, and HPb of controls were 93.6 μg L^-1, 36.3 μg L^-1, 1.9 mg g^-1, and 1.8 μg g^-1, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between BPb and UALA (r = 0.630, p = 0.000), UPb and UALA (r = 0.566, p = 0.000), and between BPb and HPb (r = 0.466, p = 0.004). The significant correlation between BPb and HPb suggests the usefulness of hair for assessing occupational exposure particularly when the study area presents medium to high levels of Pb pollution. The association between Pb biomarkers and potential confounding factors revealed significant influence of the occupational factor over smoking and alcohol consumption. The results of this study urge for the reinforcement of the implemented engineering controls and safety measures in order to reduce exposure and to address the health issues related to Pb poisoning.

Deep eutectic liquid organic salt as a new solvent for carrier-mediated hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction of lead from whole blood followed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

In the present work, for the first time, a new carrier-mediated hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (CM-HFLPME) technique was applied for the determination of lead in whole blood samples by means of ETAAS.

Evaluation of calcium and lead interaction, in addition to their impact on thyroid functions in hyper and hypothyroid patients

There is compelling evidence in support of interaction between calcium (Ca) and lead (Pb) in thyroid disorders. The aim of present study was to compare the level of Ca and Pb with thyroid hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxin (FT4) in serum samples of hyperthyroid (HPRT) and hypothyroid (HPOT) patients of both genders. For comparative purpose, age-matched (25-50 years) subjects having no thyroid disorders were selected as referents/controls. The serum samples were acid-digested prior to analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry. The validity and accuracy of the methodology were checked by certified reference materials. The resulted data indicates that the mean values of Ca in serum samples of HPRT patients were significantly higher than those of referent subjects (p < 0.01), while reverse pattern was observed in the case of HPOT patients. The level of Pb was higher in the serum samples of both types of thyroid patients, but difference was significant in case of HPOT patients as compare to referent subjects (p < 0.01). A negative correlation was observed between serum Ca levels and TSH of HPRT patients (-r = 0.37-0.39, p < 0.01), while FT3 and FT4 have positive correlation (r = 0.49-0.52 and r = 0.46-0.47), p values <0.01. The Pb in serum had positive correlation with TSH (r = 0.48-0.51, p < 0.005), while negative correlation was observed for FT3 and FT4 (-r = 0.55-0.56, 0.5-0.54, p < 0.05) in HPRT patients. On the other hand, a reverse pattern was observed, for correlation of Ca and Pb with thyroid functions in HPOT patients.