Elevated Levels of Lead in Blood of Different Groups in the Urban Population of Enugu State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Two hundred and forty blood samples were collected from children, women, and men in urban areas of Enugu State, Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for lead by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results show the range and % detectable values were 3.9–88.1 μg/dl and 97.92%, respectively. The sample population was classified according to age groups (≤12, 13–25, and >25 years), sex, occupationally and non-occupationally exposed, pregnant women/nursing mothers and other women, and those exposed/or not exposed to some possible risk factors. This was done to find out if there is a trend within the different categories, which will help in identifying toxicity risk groups of lead in Nigeria. Children had the highest range of blood lead levels (12–88 μg/dl), with a mean level of 48.8 μg/dl. Males showed a higher mean concentration for lead than did the women in our study, while pregnant women/nursing mothers had a lower mean concentration (28.8 ± 19.8 μg/dl) of lead than the other women (32.8 ± 12 μg/dl). There was significant difference between the responses for some of the factors, showing that concentrations of lead are affected by these factors. The generally polluted environment probably has had significant impact on the lead blood burden of the Nigerian population.

Key Words:

• lead
• blood
• wet digestion
• pollution
• Enugu State
• Nigeria

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We are grateful to Mr. Uche Nduka for the statistical analysis and Mr. Anderson Ezeibe for supplying the current levels of lead in petrol and diesel sold in Nigeria.