Environmental Lead and Its Impacts on Children’s Health in Sana’a City, Republic of Yemen: A Pilot Study
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- Category: Vol. 77, March 2009
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Environmental Lead and Its Impacts on Children’s Health in Sana’a City, Republic of Yemen: A Pilot Study,SAIF ALHAKIMI, MUNIRA DUGHISH and MOLHAM AL-HABORI
Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate or uncover the status of anthropogenic Lead in Sana’a city, as a pilot study area and its impacts on children’s health. Thirty soil samples were collected from least undisturbed surfaces in study area, sieved to 63 microns, digested by hydrochloric acid and the supernatant were analyzed for lead using the Atomic Absorp-tion spectrophotometer (AAS) available in the Geological Survey Authority in Sana’a. Additionally, forty tap-water samples were collected from the homes of 40 children residing in the pilot study area and were analyzed for lead using the same facility. Furthermore, whole blood samples were obtained by venipuncture from the same 40 children (aged 2-6 years), and were analyzed for hemoglobin and plasma blood lead levels (PBLL) using the same facility. The results of blood, soil and water analyses indicate generally high lead contents in most samples compared to the standard international values and the values of reference samples. The high levels of lead in the samples may be attributed to lead pollution in the area as a result of mainly vehicles emissions and burning of leaded gasoline, besides other sources.