Sudesh Yadav

Trace metal concentration in different Indian tobacco products and related health implications

Concentrations of seven heavy metals, viz. Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn were determined in 30 samples of various brands of five different tobacco product types easily available in Indian markets. Three product types cigarettes, cigars and biri (tobacco rolled in dry leaf and smoked without filter) are consumed by smoking while chewing tobacco and snuff are consumed by chewing and sniffing, respectively. The metal content showed smoking and non-smoking type, brand and element specific variations. In the non-smoking type, chewing tobacco samples contained more heavy metals compared to snuff samples. Biri showed minimum metal content compared to cigarettes and cigars among the smoking types. This could be due to the metal enrichment during both chemical and physical processing in finished product; biri being the most raw and cheap product. The intra brand variations also indicate the same as the processing technologies are exclusive and different for each brand. The results are nearly comparable to the existing data with limited exceptions. We suggest that the smoke and ash produced could be significant contributor to metal load in the soil, air and water systems in addition to the adverse human health effects via direct tobacco consumption.

Source apportionment and spatial-temporal variations in the metal content of surface dust collected from an industrial area adjoining Delhi, India.

Surface dust collected during three different seasons from Faridabad industrial area adjoining Delhi is studied for different metals, their spatial and temporal variations, and sources. Al, Fe, Mn, Ti, Ca and Mg show limited variations and lower abundances compared to Upper Continental Crust (UCC); Fe shows enrichment and seasonal changes. Cd, V, Co, Ba, Ti, Ni, Cu, Cr and Zn show significant spatial and temporal variations, and enrichments compared to UCC indicate their anthropogenic sources. Seasonal variability could be due to: 1) different types of industries, 2) variations in the emissions, 3) very frequent shifting of small scale industry within the region, and 4) changes in the land use pattern. The sampling sites, according to the geo-accumulation index, are: 1) least polluted for Ca, Mg, Al and Ti except for Ti in winter, 2) least to moderately polluted for Ba, Co and V but season specific, and 3) moderately to extremely polluted for other metals. Average pollution load index of 2.67-2.87 indicates consistently high level of pollution at all sites in all sampling seasons. The sites located in the residential areas near small to medium scale unorganized industry are more polluted compared to sites near large industries suggesting that the small scale unorganized industries causes more pollution. Three dominant sources of metals were identified: 1) mixed industrial, 2) crustal, and 3) vehicular, oil and battery related burnings. The third component related to Ba, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr, further splits into two components in the pre-monsoon and winter samples. Surface dust, enriched in metals, is likely to cause serious danger to public health. There is an urgent need to make a shift from unorganized to formally organized industry to reduce the metal pollution and protect human health and environment as a whole.

Metal toxicity assessment of mobile phone parts using Milli Q water

Environmentally safe disposal of end-of-life (EoL) or discarded mobile phone is a serious problem on account of their ever increasing number and toxic metals contents. In the present work, metal toxicity of mobile phone plastics, printed wire boards (PWBs) and batteries were assessed through dynamic batch leaching using Milli Q (MQ) water. Phone plastics failed Toxicity Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and Waste Extraction Test (WET) for Pb as the cumulative amount of Pb leached from plastics (5.33 mg/l) exceeded the regulatory limits (5.0mg/l) used in characterizing a waste as hazardous. Similarly, the average cumulative amount (21.83 mg/l) of Ni leached from PWBs exceeded the regulatory limit of 20mg/l and thus PWBs failed WET. Metals leached from batteries in small amounts (Cr: 0.40 mg/l and Ni: 0.15 mg/l). The presence of Fe in the batteries and its precipitation as oxides/hydroxides in the leaching solution hindered the leaching of other metals in MQ water. Both plastics and PWBs should be treated as hazardous waste and should not be disposed in open landfills. Further, MQ water leaching could provide good simulation of metals leaching from the mobile phones disposed at landfill sites.

Selenium Supplementation for Prevention of Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates

BACKGROUND Neonatal mortality continues to be a significant problem in the Indian setting, especially in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. Selenium (Se) has been shown to possess antioxidant properties, and some recent studies have shown a reduction in the sepsis-attributable neonatal mortality with its use. India is a Se-deficient country. Blood Se concentrations in newborns are lower than those of their mothers and lower still in preterm infants. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of Se in preventing the first episode of late-onset sepsis in VLBW preterm neonates. METHODS Ninety neonates weighing <1500 g and period of gestation <32 weeks, asymptomatic at birth and admitted to the neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU) in the first 12 h of birth with no maternal risk factors for sepsis were analyzed in the study. Se or placebo was supplemented orally once daily from 1st to 28th day of life to the test (n = 45) or control (n = 45) groups, respectively, followed by daily clinical assessment for signs or symptoms of sepsis in the hospital and weekly after discharge. RESULTS Preterm VLBW neonates (mean birth weight 1464.22 ± 50.14 g and mean gestational age 221.75 ± 4 days) are Se deficient at birth, with mean (SD) Se levels 31.1 ± 14.8 µg/l. Se supplementation at 10 µg/day increased serum Se levels significantly (63.9 ± 13.9 µg/l on Day 28 in Se vs. 40.9 ± 17.3 on Day 28 in placebo; p < 0.01). The incidence of the first episode of culture-proven late-onset sepsis was significantly lower in the Se than in the placebo group. [0/45 (0%) in Se vs. 6/45 (13.3%) in placebo; p = 0.033]. The incidence of probable sepsis was found to be significantly lower in the Se group [7/45 (15.55%)] than in the placebo [16/45 (35.55%)]; p = 0.02. The total incidence of any late-onset sepsis (i.e. culture-proven plus probable sepsis) was also significantly reduced by Se supplementation. [7/45 (15.55%) in Se vs. 22/45 (48.88%) in placebo; p = 0.001]. CONCLUSION Preterm VLBW neonates are Se deficient at birth. Se supplementation at 10 µg/day resulted in getting the Se levels into the acceptable normal level and reduced the incidence of the first episode of late-onset sepsis in these neonates.

Factors and sources influencing ionic composition of atmospheric condensate during winter season in lower troposphere over Delhi, India

Atmospheric condensate (AC) and rainwater samples were collected during 2010–2011 winter season from Delhi and characterized for major cations and anions. The observed order of abundance of cations and anions in AC samples was NH4+ > Ca2+ > Na+ > K+ > Mg2+ and HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− > NO2− > NO3− > F−, respectively. All samples were alkaline in nature and Σcation/Σanion ratio was found to be close to one. NH4+ emissions followed by Ca2+ and Mg2+ were largely responsible for neutralization of acidity caused by high NOx and SO2 emissions from vehicles and thermal power plants in the region. Interestingly, AC samples show low nitrate content compared with its precursor nitrite, which is commonly reversed in case of rainwater. It could be due to (1) slow light-mediated oxidation of HONO; (2) larger emission of NO2 and temperature inversion conditions entrapping them; and (3) formation and dissociation of ammonium nitrite, which seems to be possible as both carry close correlation in our data set. Principal component analysis indicated three factors (marine mixed with biomass burning, anthropogenic and terrestrial, and carbonates) for all ionic species. Significantly higher sulfate/nitrate ratio indicates greater anthropogenic contributions in AC samples compared with rainwater. Compared with rainwater, AC samples show higher abundance of all ionic species except SO4, NO3, and Ca suggesting inclusion of these ions by wash out process during rain events. Ionic composition and related variations in AC and rainwater samples indicate that two represent different processes in time and space coordinates. AC represents the near-surface interaction whereas rainwater chemistry is indicative of regional patterns. AC could be a suitable way to understand atmospheric water interactions with gas and solid particle species in the lower atmosphere.

Face mask application as a tool to diminish the particulate matter mediated heavy metal exposure among citizens of Lucknow, India.

Traffic related fine particulate emissions, enriched in metal contents, are directly linked to respiratory disorders in human subjects. In view of the growing traffic related emissions in India, the present study was undertaken to estimate the heavy metal exposure among non-occupationally exposed two vehicle riders of Lucknow City and related health effects via application of face masks (FMs) fitted with cellulose nitrate filters and measuring the peak respiratory flow rate (PEFR). Carefully selected 200 volunteers (asymptomatic n=154 and symptomatic n=46) were advised to use FMs during their deriving time for 30 days and PEFR test was conducted on each subject at the beginning, i.e. 0 day, and at end of the study period, i.e. 30 days. On completion of the prescribed study period, filters from the used FMs were collected, acid leached and analyzed for Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd. Asymptomatic and symptomatic subject groups were further divided into two age groups of 15-40 years and 41-68. Pb, Cu and Cd were significantly higher in lower age group (15-40) of symptomatic group and Cr was in asymptomatic group. Negative associations were observed between metals viz. Pb (r=-0.39, p<0.001), Cd (r=-0.26, p<0.001), Fe (r=-0.37, p<0.001), Mn (r=-0.15, p<0.05) and the lung functioning. 30 days PEFR of all subjects were higher by nearly 10% than 0 day in all 200 samples irrespective of age and symptomatic nature of the subject. The improvement could also be due to metals and other organic species, not analyzed herein. Nevertheless the results indicate that FM usage has a role to play for immediate, if not ultimate, improvement in public health and need further studies.

Mobile Phones-An asset or a liability: A study based on characterization and assessment of metals in waste mobile phone components using leaching tests

The prolonged use of old fashioned gadgets, especially mobile phones, is declining readily with the advancement in technology which ultimately lead to generation of e-waste. The present study investigates the concentrations of nine metals (Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Zn) in various components of the mobile phones using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP), Waste Extraction Test (WET) and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP). The results were compared with the threshold limits for hazardous waste defined by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The average concentrations of metals were found high in PWBs. WET was found relatively aggressive as compared to TCLP and SPLP. Redundancy analysis (RDA) suggests that part of mobile, extraction test, manufacturer, mobile model and year of manufacturing explain 34.66% of the variance. According to the present study, waste mobile phones must be considered as hazardous due to the potential adverse impact of toxic metals on human health and environment. However, mobile phones can be an asset as systematic extraction and recycling could reduce the demand of primary metals mining and conserve the natural resources.

Seasonal variations in size distribution, water-soluble ions, and carbon content of size-segregated aerosols over New Delhi

Size distribution, water-soluble inorganic ions (WSII), and organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in size-segregated aerosols were investigated during a year-long sampling in 2010 over New Delhi. Among different size fractions of PM10, PM0.95 was the dominant fraction (45%) followed by PM3–7.2 (20%), PM7.2–10 (15%), PM0.95–1.5 (10%), and PM1.5–3 (10%). All size fractions exceeded the ambient air quality standards of India for PM2.5. Annual average mass size distributions of ions were specific to size and ion(s); Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, NO3−, and Cl− followed bimodal distribution while SO42− and NH4+ ions showed one mode in PM0.95. The concentrations of secondary WSII (NO3−, SO42−, and NH4+) increased in winters due to closed and moist atmosphere whereas open atmospheric conditions in summers lead to dispersal of pollutants. NH4+and Ca2+were dominant neutralization ions but in different size fractions. The summer-time dust transport from upwind region by S SW winds resulted in significantly high concentrations of PM0.95 and PM3–7.2 and PM7.2–10. This indicted influence of dust generation in Thar Desert and its transport is size selective in nature in downwind direction. The mixing of different sources (geogenic, coal combustions, biomass burning, plastic burning, incinerators, and vehicular emissions sources) for soluble ions in different size fractions was noticed in principle component analysis. Total carbon (TC = EC + OC) constituted 8–31% of the total PM0.95 mass, and OC dominated over EC. Among EC, char (EC1) dominated over soot (EC2 + EC3). High SOC contribution (82%) to OC and OC/EC ratio of 2.7 suggested possible role of mineral dust and high photochemical activity in SOC production. Mass concentrations of aerosols and WSII and their contributions to each size fraction of PM10 are governed by nature of sources, emission strength of source(s), and seasonality in meteorological parameters.

Evaluation of serum metal profile in relation to biri smoking using ICP-MS

ABSTRACT The metals intake through tobacco smoking is associated with adverse effects for human health. The present study was aimed to understand the effects of biri smoking on smoker’s serum metal profile. Seven metals, cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), were analysed in serum samples of 20 biri smokers and 20 non-smokers from North India. The Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr and Cu concentrations were higher while Fe and Zn concentrations were lower in smokers compared to non-smokers. The Fe concentrations, the highest among all metals, seemed to be unassociated with the smoking activity. This study indicated that biri smoking is a contributor to the body burden of Cd, Ni, Cu and Cr in the smoker’s body. The Cd, Ni, Cu and Fe concentrations are non-significantly associated with the age of smokers at p < 0.01 significance level, whereas Pb and Cr concentrations increase and Zn concentrations decrease with the increase in the age of smokers. Serum metal concentrations in the smoker subjects of North India are higher compared to the results of other similar studies. This could be linked to the poor quality of tobacco used in biri. We recommend conducting more detailed and controlled studies in this regard as a smoker is also subjected to other sources of exposure to metals.