An Analytical Study of Lead in Blood Serum and Urine in Relation to Health of Silver Jewellery Workers of Ajmer City, Rajasthan

Lead is a naturally-occurring element that can be harmful to humans when ingested or inhaled. The determination of lead in blood serum and urine is a very important clinical investigation procedure. The aim of this investigation was to determine the concentration of lead (Pb) in blood serum and urine samples of silver jewellery workers (SJW), because of their exposure to lead fumes and lead oxide dust during their routine activities of silver jewellery processing affecting many systems in their body. The relationship between serum lead levels and urinary lead levels with health effects were also assessed in a cross sectional study of the SJW group of Ajmer city. Blood and urine samples were collected from 40 SJW. Lead concentration in the samples was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results indicate that the level of serum lead concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 142.65 μg/dl and the urinary lead level concentrations ranging from 0.66 to 134.98 μg/dl. The prominent findings among the lead exposed SJW group were impaired concentration, encephalopathy, fatigue, abdominal colic, spontaneous abortion, abnormal sperm, anaemia, kidney failure, etc. Such results might point that lead exposure increases the serum and urinary lead levels of SJW group. Lead poisoning affects multiple organ systems and can cause permanent damage.