Lead Concentrations in the Blood of Residents of the Mineralized and Mining Environs

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Abstract

Lead ion concentration in blood samples of the hospitalized patients of the mineralized area of Ishiagu environs, were assayed. Ishiagu has lead and zinc deposits and active mining of these minerals. Lead concentration in the blood of selected hospital patients range between 0.40 and 2.00 ppm. The lead (Pb) concentration varied with age. Residents within the age of 5-20 years have lead concentration of 0.40-1.00 ppm while age within 21-60 years have lead concentration of 1.00-2.00 ppm. A correlation between length of exposure and age was established. A group within 33-44 years has the highest lead concentration in their blood.

Keywords

Lead

blood

concentration

age

mineralized

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

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Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, Electronic ISSN: 1875-8568 Print ISSN: 0972-9860, Published by AccScience Publishing