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Unpublished Work

EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEAD POLLUTION ON HEMOGLOBIN AND ERYTHTOCYTE ALAD ACTIVITY

This work is done by D.C. Sharma, Nirupa Seervi and
Jairam Rawtani
Department of Biochemistry
S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur

In this present study an attempt has been made to determine the affect of lead pollution in the ambient air of Jaipur metropolis directly by measuring the accumulated lead in blood of Traffic policemen of age group 22 to 41 years (mean 29 years) and indirectly by gauging its inhibitory effect on erythrocyte ALAD (5 aminolevulinate dehydratase) activity, for this controls were obtained from remote areas of Jaipur which is less polluted (male subjects of age group 24to 42, mean 30years).

The blood for this study was obtained in the morning in the fasting state. Blood Hb, total red blood cell count and ALAD assay were performed immediately lead was estimated by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Lead exposure is known to cause anemia. Although, hemoglobin in lead exposed group was significantly less (P<0.001) than unexposed people, it cannot be termed anemia. It is possible that anemia may develop in some of them in due course of time. That the reduction in hemoglobin was caused by lead accumulated in blood is supported by significant negative correlation between Hb and lead exposed group (r = -0.62, P<0.001). Therefore, we suggest that all people at risk of exposure to lead exhausts should be monitored for their blood ALAD activity which is a very easy and simple technique and a reliable parameter of exposure.

Indian J Physio Pharmacol 2000; 44 (1): 117-118

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