Blood lead levels in a population exposed to vehicle emissions

Abstract

Over 99% of atmospheric lead in urban areas is due to petrol lead emissions. Blood lead levels in traffic policemen, street vendors, drivers of three wheelers, motor cyclists and school children in the Colombo metropolitan area were studied. Some of the general population who are least exposed to vehicle emissions were used as controls. They were selected from a village in Mirigama area after interviewing. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric method with graphite tube atomization was used to analyse venous blood lead levels. The study showed significantly higher levels of lead in blood for the adult population who are exposed to vehicle emissions than controls. Blood lead levels were established as, Control (90 μg dm-3) < Motor cyclists (120 μg dm-3) < Street vendors (130 μg dm-3) < Drivers of three wheelers (150 μg dm-3) < Traffic policemen (530 μg dm-3).