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Blood lead level of Cairo traffic policemen
A A Kamal1, S E Eldamaty, R Faris
1Department of Community Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbasia, Cairo, Egypt.
Insights
Traffic police in Cairo show higher blood lead levels and hemoglobin than office workers. While acceptable for their job, this highlights air pollution risks for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Traffic policemen are occupationally exposed to traffic exhaust fumes.
- Lead exposure is a significant public health concern, particularly in urban environments.
- Assessing lead exposure in high-risk groups is crucial for understanding broader population risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate blood lead levels (PbB), hemoglobin (Hb), and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in Cairo traffic policemen.
- To compare these biomarkers between traffic policemen and a control group of office-based policemen.
- To explore the relationship between PbB and occupational/demographic factors and assess potential population risks.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 126 traffic policemen and 50 office-based policemen in Cairo.
- Measurement of blood lead level, hemoglobin concentration, and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid.
- Statistical analysis to compare groups and assess correlations.
Main Results:
- Traffic policemen exhibited significantly higher mean blood lead levels and hemoglobin concentrations compared to the control group.
- Urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid levels were similar between the two groups.
- Blood lead levels in traffic policemen were not significantly correlated with age, duration of employment, or hemoglobin levels.
Conclusions:
- The average blood lead level in Cairo traffic policemen (29.2 +/- 7.5 µg/dL) is occupationally acceptable but indicates a potential health risk.
- Traffic-exhaust-induced air pollution poses a risk to the general Cairo population, including children and pregnant women.
- Further public health interventions are needed to mitigate lead exposure from air pollution.
Abstract:
Blood lead level, haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and urinary delta-aminolevulenic acid (ALA) were determined for 126 traffic policemen and a control group of 50 office-based policemen of Cairo city. Mean blood lead level and Hb of traffic policemen were significantly higher than those of the controls; ALA of both groups were similar. The blood lead level of traffic policemen was not related to age, duration of employment or Hb. Although the observed blood lead level of Cairo traffic policemen (29.2 +/- 7.5 microns dl-1) may be considered acceptable for their occupation, it indicates a potential risk from traffic-exhaust-induced air pollution for other groups of the Cairo population such as children and pregnant women.