Enrichment and exposure of particulate lead in a traffic environment in India

Enrichment of lead in respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and exposure of human blood to particulate lead in traffic environment were investigated. Samples of RSPM, non-respirable suspended particulate matter (NRSPM) and total suspended particulate matter (TSPM) were collected in 10 sampling sites located on National Highway No. 6, Drug-Bhilai section of Chhattisgarh State of India. Forty blood samples, out of which 20 of highway traffic personnel with chronic exposure and other 20 of general population who were residing more than 10 km away from the National Highway, were collected. Samples of particulate matter were weighed and analysed for particulate lead. Results have shown a higher concentration of average RSPM and TSPM in all the sampling sites compared to the Indian permissible limits. Geometric mean of lead levels was found in the range of 0.880-1.414 micrograms/m3 (TSPM) in the study sites. Concentrations of lead in RSPM have shown a higher enrichment (range 2.645-3.171) relative to NRSPM. Blood lead levels in traffic personnel and general population were found in the range of 56.70-101.17 micrograms/dL and 7.92-31.22 micrograms/dL, respectively.