Calcium and Lead Levels in the Biological Samples and Their Effect on the Biochemical Parameters of Indoor and Outdoor Workers of Five Zonal Areas of Coal Mining Field
Workers of the Lakhra coal mining Sindh Pakistan were affected by a multi-factorial exposure of heavy metals. The prevalence of lead (Pb) exposures in work-related symptoms among workers of indoor and outdoor mining of Lakhra coal mining was evaluated in detail. The biological samples (scalp hair and blood) of 270 workers of Lakhra coal mining {official and control subjects} (indoor and outdoor) 18 to 55 years age group and 70 referent subjects of same age-groups were examined. The biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of workers of Lakhra coal mining and referent subjects were analyzed for calcium (Ca) and lead (Pb). Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was applied for the determination of the Ca in digested samples of studied subjects by the microwave oven whereas, the Pb contents were measured by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The validity of the methodology was checked by using the certified human hair material (BCR 397) and lyophilized human blood (Clincheck). The results indicated the higher contents of Pb in biological samples of indoor and outdoor mining workers than referents. However, the levels of Ca were found to be lower in indoor and outdoor mining workers than those of referents. It can be concluded that immediate action should be taken by recommended authorities to improve the ventilation and hygiene practices inside the industries, mines, and other workplaces.
References
[1]
Mineral Deposits of Pakistan (PDF). pakboi.gov.pk. 2012.
[2]
Spooner, A.M. (2015) What Is the Environmental Impact of Mining and Burning Coal? https://dummies.com/education/science/environmental-science/what-is-the-environmentalimpact-of-mining-and-burning-coal
[3]
Ortega-Larrocea, M.P., Xoconostle-Cazares, B., Maldonado-Mendoza, I.E., et al. (2010) Plant and Fungal Biodiversity from Metal Mine Wastes under Remediation at Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. Environmental Pollution, 158, 1922-1931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.10.034
[4]
Li, F., Chong, Z.Z. and Maiese, K. (2005) Vital Elements of the Wnt-Frizzled Signaling Pathway in the Nervous System. Current Neurovascular Research, 2, 331-340. https://doi.org/10.2174/156720205774322557
[5]
Afridi, H.I., Talpur, F.N., Kazi, T.G., et al. (2015) Estimation of Calcium, Magnesium, Cadmium, and Lead in Biological Samples from Paralyzed Quality Control and Production Steel Mill Workers. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187, 350. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4517-3
[6]
Faqi, L., Zhao, Z.C. and Kenneth, M. (2005) Vital Elements of the Wnt-Frizzled Signaling Pathway in the Nervous System. Current Neurovascular Research, 2, 331-340. https://doi.org/10.2174/156720205774322557
[7]
Fowler, B.A., Yamauchi, H., Conner, E.A., et al. (1993) Cancer Risks for Humans from Exposure to Semiconductor Metals. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, 19, 101-103.
[8]
Kazi, T.G., Afridi, H.I., Kazi, N., et al. (2008) Distribution of Zinc, Copper and Iron in Biological Samples of Pakistani Myocardial Infarction (1st, 2nd and 3rd Heart Attack) Patients and Controls. Clinica Chimica Acta, 389, 114-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2007.12.004
[9]
Boutron, C.F. (1991) Decrease in Anthropogenic Lead, Cadmium and Zinc in Greenland Snows since the Late 1960s. Nature, 353, 153-156. https://doi.org/10.1038/353153a0
[10]
ATSDR (2005) Toxicological Profile for Lead. Draft for Public Comment.
[11]
Centers for Disease Control (1992) Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children. DHHS Publication No. (PHS/CDC), USA Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, 633-627.
[12]
Saraymen, R., Soylak, M. and Narin, I. (1998) Serum Cadmium Levels of People Living in Kayseri-Belsin Region, Turkey. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 7, 403-405.
[13]
Soylak, M., Saraymen, R. and Dogan, M. (1995) Investigation of Lead, Chromium, Cobalt and Molybdenum Concentrations in Hair Samples Collected from Diabetic-Patients. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 4, 485-490.
[14]
International Labor Organization (1999) Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (No. 182).
[15]
Berkowitz, Z., Price-Green, B. and Kaye, W.E. (2006) Lead Exposure and Birth Outcomes in Five Communities in Shoshone County, Idaho. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 209, 123-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2005.11.001
[16]
Le Roux, G., Aubert, D., Stille, P., et al. (2005) Recent Atmospheric Pb Deposition at a Rural Site in Southern Germany Assessed Using a Peat Core and Snowpack, and Comparison with Other Archives. Atmospheric Environment, 39, 6790-6801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2005.07.026
[17]
Lee, B.K., Ahn, J., Kim, N.S., et al. (2016) Association of Blood Pressure with Exposure to Lead and Cadmium: Analysis of Data from the 2008-2013 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Biological Trace Element Research, 174, 40-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0699-y
[18]
Telišman, S., Colak, B., Pizent, A., et al. (2007) Reproductive Toxicity of Low-Level Lead Exposure in Men. Environmental Research, 105, 256-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2007.05.011
[19]
Papanikolaou, N.C., Hatzidaki, E.G., Belivanis, S., et al. (2005) Lead Toxicity Update. A Brief Review. Medical Science Monitor, 11, RA329-RA336.
[20]
Small, M.J., Nunn, A.B., Forslund, B.L., et al. (1995) Source Attribution of Elevated Residential Soil Lead near a Battery Recycling Site. Environmental Science & Technology, 29, 883-895. https://doi.org/10.1021/es00004a008
[21]
Cheepurupalli, N.R., Radha, B.A., et al. (2015) Chemical Characteristics and Trace Element Concentration of Non Coking Coals from Talcher Coal Fields, Orissa, India. Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal, 4, 197-205. https://doi.org/10.4314/star.v4i3.31
[22]
Shao, L., Jones, T., Gayer, R., et al. (2003) Petrology and Geochemistry of the High-Sulphur Coals from the Upper Permian Carbonate Coal Measures in the Heshan Coalfield, Southern China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 55, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0166-5162(03)00031-4
[23]
Dai, S., Li, D., Chou, C., et al. (2008) Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Boehmite-Rich Coals: New Insights from the Haerwusu Surface Mine, Jungar Coalfield, Inner Mongolia, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 74, 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2008.01.001
[24]
Kedziorek, M.A., Dupuy, A., Bourg, A.C., et al. (1998) Leaching of Cd and Pb from a Polluted Soil during the Percolation of EDTA: Laboratory Column Experiments Modeled with a Non-Equilibrium Solubilization Step. Environmental Science & Technology, 32, 1609-1614. https://doi.org/10.1021/es970708m
[25]
Othmer, K. (2003) Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology. Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken.
[26]
Ali, H., Khan, E. and Ilahi, I. (2019) Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology of Hazardous Heavy Metals: Environmental Persistence, Toxicity, and Bioaccumulation. Journal of Chemistry, 2019, Article ID: 6730305. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6730305
[27]
Islam, M.S., Proshad, R. and Ahmed, S. (2018) Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Sediment of an Urban River in Bangladesh. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 24, 699-720. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2017.1397499
[28]
Tian, H.Z., Lu, L., Hao, J.M., et al. (2013) A Review of Key Hazardous Trace Elements in Chinese Coals: Abundance, Occurrence, Behavior during Coal Combustion and Their Environmental Impacts. Energy & Fuels, 27, 601-614. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef3017305
[29]
Zahra, A., Hashmi, M.Z., Malik, R.N., et al. (2014) Enrichment and Geo-Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Risk Assessment of Sediments of the Kurang Nallah-Feeding Tributary of the Rawal Lake Reservoir, Pakistan. Science of the Total Environment, 470-471, 925-933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.017
[30]
Navas-Acien, A., Selvin, E., Sharrett, A.R., Calderon-Aranda, E., Silbergeld, E., Guallar, E., et al. (2014) Lead Cadmium, Smoking, and Increased Risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease. Circulation, 109, 3196-3201. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000130848.18636.B2
