A Study of Lead Contamination in Tobacco Leaves Sampled from Alongside Motor Roads in the Rapidly Industrialising City of Manisa, Turkey

This research was carried out on 5 August 2002 to determine the lead concentrations in tobacco leaves growing by roads in the vicinities of Akhisar-G k eahmet, Akhisar-Süleymanli, Soma-Turgutalp (Turkey). The research was made with special care given to the location of the plant, which had to be on the sides of roads. The leaf samples from these fields were picked from 0-10-20-50-100 m off the road and total of 60 leaves were sampled from the 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th rows at these distances. The lead concentrations of these samples were read by ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) after all the required analyses were performed. The results have shown that lead concentrations on sample tobacco leaves show a significant fall with increasing distances from the road due to, decreasing exhaust fumes. The leaves picked at the crossroads have the highest lead concentration, where there is more exposure to exhaust fumes. This research has also proved the effects of the Soma Thermal Plant. The results from Turgutalp showed a high concentration of lead on leaves although the area is not effected by heavy traffic during summer months.