Estimation of urinary delta aminolevulinic acid levels in females of reproductive age as an index of lead exposure

Abstract

Lead is a toxic heavy metal whose widespread use has caused extensive environmental contamination and health problems particularly in children and women of reproductive age. It affects multiple body systems, including the neurologic, hematologic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal systems. Recent studies have shown that lead, has the potential to harm not only the young and the occupationally-exposed, but also older people and females within the reproductive age. They may have been exposed to lead while working in unregulated occupations, or they may have encountered more lead in the environment on a daily basis. The Aim of the present study is to estimate urinary d-ALA levels in heterogenous population of females in the reproductive age as an index of lead exposure. This cross- sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 80 females of reproductive age from different areas of Mumbai with brief history related lead exposure. The morning first mid stream urine samples were collected with all standard precautions and analyzed for d-ALA using modified Ehrlich's reagent method. Out of 80 samples - 69 samples (86.25%) urinary d-ALA were levels above reference level i.e. (< 5mg/l). This is alarming. The reasons for this exposure may vary and we cannot find a single cause for such a high level exposure, but we can say that it is closely related to the duration of exposure. Hence it is to conclude that it is difficult to stop lead exposure completely but by taking necessary precautions and providing health education we can reduce the lead exposure and its ill effects on health.