Bone uranium and lead concentrations in adults from Fallujah, Iraq

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Human Biomonitoring

Background:

• Military activities can lead to significant heavy metal exposure.
• Fallujah, Iraq, has a history of conflict and was late to phase out leaded gasoline.
• High levels of environmental contaminants are suspected in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess bone lead and uranium concentrations in adults residing in Fallujah, Iraq.
• To investigate correlations between bone metal levels and demographic factors.
• To establish baseline in vivo bone uranium levels for this population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) device for in vivo bone lead and uranium measurement.
• Analyzed samples from 68 adults across 36 families.
• Employed generalized estimating equations to determine demographic associations.

Main Results:

• Mean bone lead: 21.2 μg/g; mean bone uranium: 1.4 μg/g.
• Bone lead and uranium concentrations were not significantly correlated.
• Younger individuals and females exhibited higher bone uranium levels.

Conclusions:

• Fallujah adults exhibit bone metal concentrations substantially higher than previously reported populations.
• Results indicate very high, long-term exposure to lead and uranium.
• No safe level of lead or uranium exposure is known for humans.