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Aliu M, Šajn R, Stafilov T. Occurrence and enrichment sources of cobalt, chromium, and nickel in soils of Mitrovica Region, Republic of Kosovo. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2021; 56:566-571. [PMID: 33715573 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2021.1898248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to determine the differences between anthropogenic sources and lithogenic sources of the content of certain potentially toxic elements in the region of Mitrovica, Republic of Kosovo. For that purpose, the results of a study on the spatial distribution and enrichment of cobalt, chromium and nickel in surface soil from Mitrovica and its environ, are reported. The average content of Co, Cr and Ni in soil amounts to 22 mg kg-1, 60 mg kg-1 and 96 mg kg-1, respectively. Spatial distribution maps of Co, Cr and Ni shows their predominance in the area of Triassic serpentinites on the North-eastern and Western parts of study area. The lowest contents are found on the outcropping of Miocene latites, quartz-latites and pyroclastites. It has been established that the increased content of Co, Cr and Ni in soils from this area is of lithogenic origin. It is shown that content of Co, Cr and Ni exceeds the target Dutch value in 173 km2, 82 km2 and 256 km2 (from 302 km2 of the study area), respectively, while the content of Cr and Ni exceeds the action Dutch value in 17 km2 and 63 km2, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milihate Aliu
- Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Applied Sciences in Ferizaj, Ferizaj, Republic of Kosovo
| | - Robert Šajn
- Geological Survey of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Trajče Stafilov
- Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
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Dehari-Zeka M, Letaj KR, Selimi QI, Elezaj IR. Blood lead level (BLL), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (ALAD), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (hct) in primary school-children and adult residents living in smelter rural areas in Kosovo. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2020; 55:1179-1187. [PMID: 32567994 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2020.1780851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic environmental lead (Pb) exposure in blood lead level (BLL), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, hemoglobin (Hb) amount and hematocrit (Hct) value in primary schoolchildren and adults. Blood was obtained for BLL, ALAD, Hb and Hct measurements in 23 primary schoolchildren (girls and boys) and 117 adult residents (women and men) living in three villages (Kelmend, Boletin and Zhazhë) defined by concentric circles 2, 3 and 5 km in radius drawn around from the smelter-refinery complex "Trepça"in Zveçan and in Koliq village 40 km away. As expected, BLLs were substantially higher in the schoolchildren from smelter area compared with control (11 ± 4.2 µg/L and 6.9 ± 1.6 µg/L respectively) and in adult residents from Kelmend, Boletin and Zhazhë (24 ± 11.8, 12 ± 4.5, 11 ± 5.4 and 8.0 ± 2.8 µg/L respectively). Blood ALAD activity of children in Zhazhë is 16% inhibited compared to control and blood ALAD activity in adults in villages from smelter area is 32, 3%, 48, 4% and 17, 8% inhibited compared to control. There is no difference of Hb and Hct values in schoolchildren from Zhazhë and in adult residents from Kelmend and Zhazhë compared with control. Results of this study provide evidence of moderate inverse correlation between BLL and ALAD activity in both examined cohorts from smelter area. The inhibition of ALAD activity in primary schoolchildren and adults occurred at blood lead levels < 24 µg/L; consequently it can cause an increase of δ- Aminolevulinic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirlinda Dehari-Zeka
- Deparment of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo
| | - Kasum Rr Letaj
- Deparment of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo
| | - Qerim I Selimi
- Faculty of Education, University of Mitrovica, Mitrovica, Republic of Kosovo
| | - Isa R Elezaj
- Deparment of Biology, Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Prishtina, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo
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Aliu M, Šajn R, Stafilov T. Spatial distribution of lead in soils of Pb-Zn mining and smelting area of the Mitrovica Region, Republic of Kosovo. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 2016; 51:588-595. [PMID: 26979426 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2016.1141628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
An area of 301 km(2) in the Mitrovica region, Republic of Kosovo, was selected in order to evaluate the lead distribution in the soil. In total, 156 surface soil samples (0 to 5 cm) were collected. The lead content was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was found that the average content of lead in the surface soil is 450 mg/kg (with a range of 35-35000 mg/kg). For the entire study area 93% of the samples had lead levels above 100 mg/kg, eight samples below 100 mg/kg and only one sample had lead levels at 30 mg/kg. The effects of mining and metallurgical activities were further assessed using the enrichment factor (EF) value. The lead average exceeded the optimum value specified in the New Dutchlist by five times, while EU average value exceeded it up to 20 times. An area of 113 km(2) of the study area was enriched with Pb higher than the action value (530 mg/kg) while 287 km(2) had significant concentration levels with Pb (358 mg/kg) higher than the optimal value (85 mg/kg), according to New Dutchlist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milihate Aliu
- a Faculty of Applied Science, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina" , Rexhep Bislimi n.n., Ferizaj , Republic of Kosovo
| | - Robert Šajn
- b Geological Survey of Slovenia , Ljubljana , Slovenia
| | - Trajče Stafilov
- c Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University , Skopje , Republic of Macedonia
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Matte TD, Figueroa JP, Ostrowski S, Burr G, Jackson-Hunt L, Baker EL. Relationship Between Soil Lead Levels and Blood Lead Levels Among Children Living Near a Lead Smelter in Jamaica. Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/09542299.1991.11083168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Kahn LG, Liu X, Rajovic B, Popovac D, Oberfield S, Graziano JH, Factor-Litvak P. Blood lead concentration and thyroid function during pregnancy: results from the Yugoslavia Prospective Study of Environmental Lead Exposure. Environ Health Perspect 2014; 122:1134-40. [PMID: 24866691 PMCID: PMC4181923 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1307669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although maternal hypothyroidism increases the risk of adverse neonatal and obstetric outcomes as well as lower IQ in children, the environmental determinants of maternal thyroid dysfunction have yet to be fully explored. OBJECTIVES We aimed to examine associations between mid-pregnancy blood lead (BPb) and concomitant measures of thyroid function among participants in the Yugoslavia Prospective Study of Environmental Lead Exposure. METHODS As part of a population-based prospective study of two towns in Kosovo-one with high levels of environmental lead and one with low-women were recruited during the second trimester of pregnancy, at which time blood samples and questionnaire data were collected. We measured concentrations of BPb, free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) in archived serum samples. RESULTS Compared with women from the unexposed town, women from the exposed town had lower mean FT4 (0.91 ± 0.17 vs. 1.03 ± 0.16 ng/dL), higher mean TPOAb (15.45 ± 33.08 vs. 5.12 ± 6.38 IU/mL), and higher mean BPb (20.00 ± 6.99 vs. 5.57 ± 2.01 μg/dL). No differences in TSH levels were found. After adjustment for potential confounders, for each natural log unit increase in BPb, FT4 decreased by 0.074 ng/dL (95% CI: -0.10, -0.046 ng/dL), and the odds ratio for testing positive to TPOAb was 2.41 (95% CI: 1.53, 3.82). We found no association between BPb and TSH. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged lead exposure may contribute to maternal thyroid dysfunction by stimulating autoimmunity to the thyroid gland.
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D'souza HS, Dsouza SA, Menezes G, Venkatesh T. Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of lead poisoning in general population. Indian J Clin Biochem 2011; 26:197-201. [PMID: 22468050 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-011-0122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 02/07/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Among the heavy metals, lead still remains the major toxic pollutant of the environment. Human exposure to lead can occur through numerous pathways including air, food, dust, soil, and water. In the present study 14 lead poisoned patients with non-occupational lead exposure were evaluated. They were followed up and compared against the controls with no history of lead exposure. The patients had high blood lead levels and symptoms of weakness, dizziness, abdominal pain, generalized body ache, loss of appetite, and anxiety. Repeated course of chelation therapy helped to bring down their body burden of lead. Alternative sources for lead exposure can cause severe lead poisoning in general population. Screening and medical management of such individuals is very important to identify and eliminate sources of lead. The treatment and management requires a thorough medical evaluation and environmental intervention.
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Kutbi II, Ahmed M, Saber A, Guinena A, Ahmad P. Measurement of blood‐lead levels in school children of Jeddah Saudi Arabia and assessment of sub‐toxic levels of lead on some sensitive hematological parameters. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1080/10934528909375527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ahmed Saber
- a College of Engineering , King Abdulaziz University
| | | | - Parvez Ahmad
- c Department of Chemistry, College of Science , King Abdul—aziz University , P.O. Box: 9028, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Kaul B, Mukerjee H. Elevated blood lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels of children near a battery-recycling plant in Haina, Dominican Republic. Int J Occup Environ Health 1999; 5:307-12. [PMID: 10633250 DOI: 10.1179/oeh.1999.5.4.307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
A survey of children from a community adjacent to an auto-battery-recycling smelter in Haina, the Dominican Republic, revealed alarming elevations of blood lead (B-Pb) and erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP-ZnPP) compared with controls. The authors recommend follow-up confirmation and treatment of severely lead-poisoned children, shutdown of the plant, controlled disposal of the hazardous waste from the site, and relocation of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Kaul
- Kaulson Laboratories, West Caldwell, New Jersey 07006, USA
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Benin AL, Sargent JD, Dalton M, Roda S. High concentrations of heavy metals in neighborhoods near ore smelters in northern Mexico. Environ Health Perspect 1999; 107:279-84. [PMID: 10090706 PMCID: PMC1566526 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.99107279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In developing countries, rapid industrialization without environmental controls has resulted in heavy metal contamination of communities. We hypothesized that residential neighborhoods located near ore industries in three northern Mexican cities would be heavily polluted with multiple contaminants (arsenic, cadmium, and lead) and that these sites would be point sources for the heavy metals. To evaluate these hypotheses, we obtained samples of roadside surface dust from residential neighborhoods within 2 m of metal smelters [Torreón (n = 19)] and Chihuahua (n = 19)] and a metal refinery [Monterrey (n = 23)]. Heavy metal concentrations in dust were mapped with respect to distance from the industrial sites. Correlation between dust metal concentration and distance was estimated with least-squares regression using log-transformed data. Median dust arsenic, cadmium, and lead concentrations were 32, 10, and 277 microg/g, respectively, in Chihuahua; 42, 2, and 467 microg/g, respectively, in Monterrey, and 113, 112, and 2,448 microg/g, respectively, in Torreón. Dust concentrations of all heavy metals were significantly higher around the active smelter in Torreón, where more than 90% of samples exceeded Superfund cleanup goals. At all sites, dust concentrations were inversely related to distance from the industrial source, implicating these industries as the likely source of the contamination. We concluded that residential neighborhoods around metal smelting and refining sites in these three cities are contaminated by heavy metals at concentrations likely to pose a health threat to people living nearby. Evaluations of human exposure near these sites should be conducted. Because multiple heavy metal pollutants may exist near smelter sites, researchers should avoid attributing toxicity to one heavy metal unless others have been measured and shown not to coexist.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Benin
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- K Schümann
- Walter-Straub-Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, München
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Affiliation(s)
- I A al-Saleh
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
To evaluate the utility of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) as an indicator of lead exposure, we examined 128 workers employed at a battery storage plant and two smelters, 343 persons who lived within 200 m of the plants, and 217 controls. Based on Chinese criteria, the "normal" ZPP value among inhabitants of Shaanxi Province was determined to be 85 micrograms/100 ml. ZPP proved to be a more sensitive and specific indicator of lead exposure, at both high and lower levels, than PbB or PbU. Among 115 patients who underwent chelation therapy for lead poisoning, ZPP also proved to be a valid index of recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhang
- Xian Central Hospital, People's Republic of China
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Murphy MJ, Graziano JH, Popovac D, Kline JK, Mehmeti A, Factor-Litvak P, Ahmedi G, Shrout P, Rajovic B, Nenezic DU. Past pregnancy outcomes among women living in the vicinity of a lead smelter in Kosovo, Yugoslavia. Am J Public Health 1990; 80:33-5. [PMID: 2293800 PMCID: PMC1404542 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.80.1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This analysis compares the rates of spontaneous abortion among women living in the vicinity of a lead smelter with those of women living in a town where blood lead levels were low. Data derive from the obstetric histories of both groups of women obtained while seeking prenatal care for a later pregnancy. A total of 639 women (304 exposed, 335 unexposed) had at least one previous pregnancy and lived at the same address since their first pregnancy. The geometric mean blood lead concentrations in the sample at the time of the interviews were 0.77 mumol/L in the exposed town and 0.25 mumol/L in the unexposed town. The rates of spontaneous abortions in first pregnancies were similar, with 16.4 percent of women in the exposed town and 14.0 percent in the unexposed town reporting loss. The adjusted odds ratio relating town of residence to spontaneous abortion was 1.1 (95% CI = 0.9, 1.4). This analysis represents the first systematic attempt to seek an association between environmental lead exposure and spontaneous abortion. As such, the failure to find a positive association strongly suggests that at the levels of exposure represented in our sample, such an association does not exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Murphy
- Columbia University, College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York 10032
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Ahmed M, Kutbi II, Ahmad P, Qurashi SM. Blood-Pb and hair-Pb levels in donor-matched samples. Environ Pollut 1989; 62:103-111. [PMID: 15092339 DOI: 10.1016/0269-7491(89)90181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 07/21/1989] [Accepted: 07/25/1989] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Lead concentrations in blood and scalp hair of 200 school boys, aged 6-8 years, were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean blood-Pb concentration was 6.8 microg dl(-1) and the mean hair-Pb concentration was 9.7 microg g(-1) (dry weight). These values are well within the normal range for the respective tissues, indicating that the children studied are presently at relatively low risk from environmental lead pollution. A correlation analysis carried out on the data failed to show any statistically significant correlation (r = 0.13, p < 0.05) between the blood-Pb and hair-Pb concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ahmed
- Nuclear Engineering Department, King Abdulaziz University, PO Box9 027, Jeddah 21413, Saudi Arabia
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Wilson D, Esterman A, Lewis M, Roder D, Calder I. Children's blood lead levels in the lead smelting town of Port Pirie, South Australia. Arch Environ Health 1986; 41:245-50. [PMID: 3767433 DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1986.9938340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This survey included 1,239 children, representing 50% of the elementary school population of the lead smelting town of Port Pirie. Of these children, 7% had a capillary blood lead level equal to or greater than 30 micrograms/dl, which is the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council's "level of concern." There was a statistically significant difference in capillary lead levels by area of residence that was independent of age, sex, soil lead, rainwater tank lead, and school attended. A case-control study indicated that the following subset of factors was most predictive of an elevated blood lead level: household members who worked with lead in their occupations; living in a house with flaking paint on the outside walls; biting finger nails; eating lunch at home on school days; when at school, appearing to have relatively dirty clothing; when at school, appearing to have relatively dirty hands; and living on a household block with a large area of exposed dirt. A program to reduce the risk of elevated blood lead levels in Port Pirie children has been introduced.
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Abstract
Capillary blood lead levels were investigated in a sample of 513 children of preschool age who were drawn from an industrial working-class region of Adelaide. The geometric mean lead level was 16.3 micrograms/dL. Fourteen children (2.7%) had a blood lead level of at least 30 micrograms/dL, which is designated by the National Health and Medical Research Council as "the level of concern". Boys tended to have higher lead levels than did girls, and children who lived closer to the inner city generally had higher levels than did those who lived further away. Compared with most other Australian findings, the blood lead levels in this study tended to be high. We suspect that the age groups that were studied, and the industrial urban quality of the region that was included, would have had an important bearing on this finding. However, the proportion of children with elevated lead levels in this study did not seem high when compared with US data for children in a comparable age range.
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Abstract
A review is given of community studies from which the relationship between air lead and blood lead in children of varying ages can be estimated. The review covers nineteen different studies which were carried out in ten different countries. The blood lead/air lead relationship is denoted with the symbol "alpha'. It is concluded that for children, a wide range of alpha-values can be estimated from the data in the different studies. Most values center on 3-5 rather than the 1-2 which is usually reported from adults. However, adjustment for confounders has been absent or incomplete in most, if not all studies. Most alpha-estimates thus have to be viewed with caution.
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Abstract
A pilot study was initiated to examine cord blood from approximately 300 newborns of various ethnic groups from two New York City hospitals for lead (Pb), erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP), ferritin (FRT), and hemoglobin (Hb) levels during 1979 and 1980. Results showed an overall mean Pb level of 8 +/- 4 micrograms/dl, EP level of 61 +/- 26 micrograms/dl [geometric mean (GM) = 66.36], FRT level of 165 +/- 107 ng/ml (GM = 135.99), and a distribution frequency of Hb with nearly 69% between 13.5 and 16.9 g % (mean +/- standard deviation = 15 +/- 1), 20% below 13.4 g % (12 +/- 2 g %), and 11% at or above 17.0 g % (18 +/- 1 g %). Both EP and FRT showed a bimodal distribution. There was a negative correlation between blood EP and plasma FRT levels that was significant at the .03% level. The study also showed that a significant drop in mean cord blood Pb levels occurred compared with earlier studies. Follow up of newborns with mildly elevated Pb and EP levels should be made and screening of mothers for Pb levels during early pregnancy should constitute a part of prenatal care, particularly for those from urban areas with previously demonstrated environmental Pb hazard.
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