Biochemical studies on the effect of lead pollution

ABSTRACT

The level of lead deposition and the extent of vegetables pollution were studied. Lead in unwashed Ficus nitida leaves throughout the four seasons in Great Cairo averaged 45 ppm in Giza and 3.6 ppm in low polluted area. Washed leaves showed values ranging from 0.88 to 19.9 ppm. Vegetables collected from 20 markets in Cairo indicated that Spearmint. Leaves had the highest lead content [92.Oppm] followed by Lettuce [22 ppm] and tomatoes [2.7 ppm]. An experiment was carried out to study the biological effect of lead in drinking water. Lead was given to rats in drinking water containing 0.0, 100, 2140, and 1000 ppm. as lead acetate for 42 days. Lead content increase in kidneys, brain, blood and liver by 23.7, 18.15, 11.3 and 8.7 -folds by giving 1000 ppm, as compared with specific control. Glutathione in different organs and blood showed also a positive correlation with lead ingestion. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit decreased by about 50% in blood by increasing lead up to 1000 ug/ml in drinking water. GPT. GOT and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly increased by increasing lead doses drinking water