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Rearing the Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) in Controlled Conditions: A Case Study with Heavy Metal Tolerance

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Environmental and occupational exposure to lead.

G K Njoroge¹, E N M Njagi, G O Orinda

¹Department of Laboratory Medicine, Intensive Care Unit, Kenyatta National Hospital, P.O. Box 20723, Nairobi, Kenya.

East African Medical Journal

|September 27, 2008

Summary

Environmental and occupational lead exposure is high in Nairobi, Kenya. Urgent interventions are needed as 25% of the general public and 89% of workers exceed safe blood lead levels (BLLs).

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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants

Published on: March 6, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Health
Occupational Health
Toxicology

Background:

Lead (Pb) exposure poses significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations.
Assessing current lead exposure levels is crucial for public health interventions.
Nairobi, Kenya, has specific areas with potential for environmental and occupational lead contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the status of environmental and occupational lead exposure in selected areas of Nairobi, Kenya.
To compare lead exposure levels in Nairobi with a control area (Olkalou).
To identify the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in different population groups.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kariobangi North, Babadogo, Waithaka, and Pumwani for environmental exposure, and Ziwani Jua Kali for occupational exposure.
Olkalou in Nyandarua District served as a covariate study area for comparison.
Blood lead levels (BLLs) were measured in 308 participating children and adults.

Main Results:

Blood lead levels (BLLs) ranged from 0.4 to 65 microg/dl. 25% of the total sample had BLLs above 10 microg/dl.
In Nairobi, 15.3% of subjects in environmental exposure areas exceeded the WHO/CDC action level of 10 microg/dl.
The mean BLL for occupationally exposed workers was 22.6 +/- 13.4 microg/dl, with 89% exceeding 10 microg/dl. The Olkalou group had a mean BLL of 1.3 +/- 0.9 microg/dl.

Conclusions:

Environmental lead exposure is prevalent in Nairobi, contrasting with the non-exposure reported in Olkalou.
Occupational lead exposure in Nairobi is at alarming levels, necessitating immediate intervention.
Public health strategies are required to mitigate lead exposure risks in both environmental and occupational settings in Nairobi.