R.N. Khandekar

Levels of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper in the blood of an urban population

Levels of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper were measured in the blood of normal children and adults of Greater Bombay, India using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The median concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu in the whole blood of children and adults were 11.54, 0.21, 484.2 and 86.2 micrograms dl-1, respectively. The blood lead concentration showed an increase with age. Children living in industrial zones with high vehicular traffic have significantly higher blood lead concentrations than their counterparts living in the cleaner suburban parts of the city. The mean levels of Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu in blood of Bombay children and adults are compared with those from other countries.

Retention times of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in children's blood

Retention times of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in blood of 6- to 10-year-old children are estimated by measurements of levels of these metals in air particulate, duplicate diet and blood of 19 children residing in different locations in Mumbai (previously, Bombay) city. Retention times of 20.3, 9.1, 2.3 and 2.3 days for Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn, respectively are observed.

Lead levels in teeth of an urban Indian population

The lead content of teeth of Bombay residents has been determined using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The median tooth lead concentrations for adults and children in Bombay are estimated to be 8.31 and 3.01 micrograms/g of tooth, respectively. The data indicate that the lead concentration of a tooth increases with the age of the donor. For children the tooth lead content varies with the type of tooth. Further, children living in industrial areas have a higher tooth lead content than children living in the cleaner suburbs of Greater Bombay.

Environmental lead exposure of an urban indian population

Environmental lead exposure of the Greater Bombay population has been estimated by measuring lead concentrations in air particulates, water, food and cigarette smoke. Atmospheric lead concentrations in different zones of the city varied between 82 and 605 ng m-3. The dietary intake of lead is estimated to be 245 micrograms day-1 and is calculated from the lead content in different food groups and the amount of that group consumed by an average resident of the city. The uptake by a non-smoker living in the city area is estimated to be 33 micrograms of lead per day, 75% of which comes from food, 15% from air and 10% from water. For a suburban resident 85% of the lead intake comes from food. The blood lead measurements and the contribution of atmospheric lead to the blood lead level are discussed.

Size distribution of atmospheric aerosols in urban sites in India

Particle size distribution of atmospheric aerosols was measured at different locations in Moradabad and Bombay, India, using an Andersen cascade impactor. The size distributions of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc were found to be bimodal. The respirable fraction of the particulates (less than 4.7 microns) was calculated. The fraction of fine particles was found to be greater in Bombay than in Moradabad. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) for lead, cadmium, copper and zinc was calculated. The atmospheric concentrations of these elements were also measured at the two locations. The analysis of samples was carried out by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry.

Atmospheric deposition of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in Bombay, India

Atmospheric deposition of trace metals like Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn has been studied at Deonar, Bombay during 1988 and 1989. The atmospheric concentrations of these metals at Deonar as well as the levels of total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) at different locations in Bombay were also measured. The bulk deposition flux for these metals was found to vary from 0.3 to 102.1 kg km−2yr–1 while the dry deposition flux varied from 0.2 to 104.6 kg km−2 yr−1. Deposition velocities for these metals have also been estimated which varied from 0.05 to 2.5 cm s−1. The TSPM levels ranged from 17 to 588 μg m−3. The levels of TSPM were found to be at a minimum at Deonar and, as such, this study is believed to indicate representative minimum deposition values for Bombay.

Assessment of atmospheric pollution from toxic heavy metals in two cities in India

Abstract Atmospheric concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn have been measured at different locations in Bombay. The concentration levels of these metals in blood and teeth of Bombay residents were also measured to assess the current and integrated exposure. Higher atmospheric concentrations were observed in higher vehicular traffic zones in Bombay. Environmental monitoring of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn was also carried out at Moradabad, the largest production and exporting centre of brass wares in India. Surface soil concentrations of these metals were also measured in Moradabad and Bombay. The analysis of samples was carried out by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). The study indicates that automobile exhaust is the dominant source for heavy metals in the environment of Bombay whereas the brass industry is responsible for enhanced concentrations of these metals in Moradabad.

Dental lead levels in Bombay inhabitants

Lead content in teeth of Bombay inhabitants has been measured. The lead concentration in teeth ranged from 4.27--82.5 microgram/g of whole tooth with a geometrical mean concentration of 15.5 microgram/g of tooth. There is no significant difference between the lead content in the teeth of males and females. The mean lead value is compared with those from other countries.