Hair as bioindicator for the daily intake of lead by Egyptian people

ABSTRACT

The lead [Pp] is recognized as an important environmental pollutant as well as occupational health effects. Human hair as a biopsy material may well serve the purpose of estimating the degree of human exposure to lead. A follow - up study since 1994 was conducted to examine the significant changes in lead intake of Egyptians at the past decade. The study included four locations high-polluted areas [traffic or industrial area], semi polluted areas [residential area], nearly non polluted areas [newly residential area] and rural areas [background area]. Hair analyses were carried out in 1994 on 230 subjects from adult persons. The follow- up study has been initiated in 2004 on 160 samples persons. The intakes through respiration, drinking and ingestion were estimated and daily intakes were calculated. Then weekly intakes and its correlation with Pp levels in hair had calculated then, regression analysis was initiated. The data showed clearly the results of efforts for improving the environmental quality in Egypt. The level of lead in air declined 20% in high-polluted areas [industrial or traffic areas], from 3.4 to 2.75- micro g/m[3].The general mean level of lead/year in Cairo ambient air decreased from 1.3 micro g/m[3] to 1.065 micro g/m[3]. Average lead level in tap water increased from 6.938 to 7.633 micro g/L, but still under the Egyptian and EPA standard levels. The daily intake of Pp through foodstuff decreased from 1193.172 micro g/Capital day to 830.008 micro g/Capital day. The calculated daily intake throw injection or foodstuff intake showed that Egyptian foodstuff contained lead more over the global limits and the Egyptian Organization for Standardization limits. The hair samples analysis represents clearly the decline in weekly intakes of the Egyptians in the last decade. The mean lead level in hair decreased from 53.5 to 47.25 micro g/g. hair as the weekly intakes declined from 0.1226 to 0.0862 mg/Kg b.w. /week. The data showed clearly the correlation between lead in human hair and the exposure to it. A liner regression of this correlation can help to estimate the level of exposure and the results of efforts to have a clean environment from this dangerous pollutant