Context: Lead exposure is a major threat to the environment and has widespread adverse effects on the human body. We detected lead exposure in this study by assessing levels of urinary delta aminolevulinic acid. The activity of the enzyme delta aminolevulinic acid dehydratase is significantly inhibited by lead, which contributes to increased excretion of δ-ALA in the urine. As a surrogate marker of lead exposure in pottery workers, we can therefore use estimates of urinary δ-ALA levels.
Objective: To estimate the levels of urinary delta aminolevulinic acid as an
indicator of lead contamination in pottery workers.
Materials and Methods: The research was performed on 85 pottery workers of age
group between 18 to 50 years with their brief history linked to lead exposure.
Using the Ehrlich procedure, their urine samples were analysed for δ-ALA.
RESULTS: Out of 85 urine samples, 58 samples displayed increased urinary δ-ALA
levels, according to our observations (68.23 percent ).
Conclusion: We believe that the prevalence of exposure to lead in pottery
employees is very high in Mumbai. In order to prevent its harmful effects on
the human body, good hygiene practices and appropriate precautions should be
followed.
Author (s) Details
Neelam J. Patil
Department of Biochemistry,
T.N.M.C. & B.Y. L. Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai-08, India.
Sayali R. Kalokhe
Department of Biochemistry,
T.N.M.C. & B.Y. L. Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai-08, India.
Sachin A. Patharkar
Department of Biochemistry, T.N.M.C. & B.Y. L. Nair Ch. Hospital,
Mumbai-08, India.
Alka V. Nerurkar
Department of Biochemistry,
T.N.M.C. & B.Y. L. Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai-08, India.
Pradeep N. Surve
Department of Biochemistry, T.N.M.C. & B.Y. L. Nair Ch. Hospital,
Mumbai-08, India.
Umesh
R. Shinde
Department of Biochemistry, T.N.M.C. & B.Y. L.
Nair Ch. Hospital, Mumbai-08, India.
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