高碘暴露儿童智商与单胺类神经递质的关系研究

目的探讨高碘对儿童智力和单胺类神经递质的影响以及单胺类神经递质与智商高低的关系。方法根据水中碘化物质量浓度从天津市滨海新区和静海区中选取适碘地区(10μg/L≤水中碘化物质量浓度<150μg/L)、高碘一区(150μg/L≤水中碘化物质量浓度<300μg/L)和高碘二区(水中碘化物质量浓度≥300μg/L),按照整群随机抽样的方法从中抽取399名(7～12)岁儿童,采用《中国联合型瑞文测验》(中国农村版)测定儿童智商,采用ELISA测定血浆单胺类神经递质多巴胺(DA)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、去甲肾上腺素(NE)和肾上腺素(E)的含量。结果高碘二区儿童的IQ值为109. 59±14. 24,低于适碘地区和高碘一区儿童,差异有统计学意义(均P<0. 05)。高碘二区儿童的DA质量浓度为(321. 69±104. 95) ng/m L,高于适碘地区和高碘一区,5-HT质量浓度为(142. 62±71. 64) ng/m L,比另外两个地区质量浓度低,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0. 05)。而NE和E的含量在3组地区无统计学差异(均P>0. 05)。阈值分析显示碘暴露与DA呈明显的非线性关系,当儿童尿碘水平在492. 75μg/L以下,血浆DA质量浓度随尿碘水平的升高而明显升高。DA与IQ也呈明显的非线性关系,当儿童DA质量浓度小于80. 0 ng/m L,体内DA每升高1 ng/m L,智商升高0. 1分;当DA质量浓度在(80. 0～359. 8) ng/m L范围内,DA每升高1 ng/m L,智商降低0. 1分。而尿碘对5-HT、NE和E的影响以及5-HT、NE和E与智力的关系均未见显著的线性关系或阈值效应。结论碘暴露过多儿童的DA代谢紊乱可能与其智商降低有关,且DA与智商存在阈值效应。     

儿童气质与智商的相关性研究

目的:探讨研究学习困难儿童的气质、智商与正常儿童的差异,针对其不同特点,采取因材施教,促进儿童情绪和社会性行为的健康发展,防止行为问题的发生。方法:观察组208例(选IQ>70以上),平均成绩连续2年在班级第10百分位以下的儿童,对照组200例,与观察组同年龄段,平均成绩中上水平的正常儿童。两组儿童均采用8¹2岁儿童气质问卷(MCTQ)、儿童韦克斯勒智力测试(WISC-R)对气质、智商进行评定。结果:(1)观察组总智商(FIQ)、言语智商(VIQ)、操作智商(PIQ)与对照组比较差异有统计学意义;(2)观察组与对照组比较,气质9个维度中部分维度差异有显著性。结论:学习困难儿童存在智力结构发育不平衡,气质特点有特殊性,应根据气质特点给予因材施教,让他(她)们健康成长。     

南方某重金属暴露区儿童血和尿中铅、镉水平及影响因素调查

目的了解南方某工业区儿童重金属内暴露水平,为环境重金属污染综合防治提供科学依据。方法采用环境流行病学方法进行横断面调查,共招募530名儿童,包括暴露区266名和对照区264名,调查问卷的同时采集儿童血、尿样本,用ICP-MS方法进行铅、镉含量检测。结果暴露区儿童血、尿中铅、镉含量几何均数分别为65.89,1.93μg/L和4.04,1.43μg/L,显著高于对照区儿童(P<0.05),其对应含量分别为37.21,1.07μg/L和2.14,1.02μg/L。暴露区儿童血铅随着年龄的增长有波动样升高趋势,对照区儿童血镉、尿镉水平随着年龄增加有轻微增加趋势,同时无论暴露区还是对照区,男孩重金属内暴露水平比女孩高,存在显著性的性别差异(P<0.05)。结论环境重金属暴露区儿童重金属内暴露水平显著高于非暴露区,且随着年龄增长呈现轻微的增长趋势,同时存在显著的性别差异。     

大鼠孕期铅暴露对仔鼠空间记忆功能影响的研究

目的为探究大鼠孕期铅暴露对仔鼠空间记忆功能的影响。方法 40只SD大鼠受孕后随机分为4组,每组10只,3个染毒组自受孕第0 d起分别给予乙酸铅含量为125 mg/L(低浓度组)、250 mg/L(中浓度组)和500 mg/L(高浓度组)的饮水,对照组则给予蒸馏水。仔鼠出生后母鼠均换为蒸馏水,仔鼠21 d时与母鼠分笼饲养;采用示波极谱仪测定0、21及60 d仔鼠血、海马、大脑皮层(0 d仔鼠直接取全脑)铅含量;并对21 d及60 d仔鼠进行Morris水迷宫试验。结果 3个染毒组仔鼠的血铅、海马铅及大脑皮层铅含量在0、21、60 d均高于对照组(P<0.05),且染毒剂量愈高、仔鼠日龄愈小,铅含量愈高;21 d仔鼠水迷宫试验三染毒组的逃逸潜伏期均长于对照组(P<0.05)且高浓度组长于低浓度组。空间探索试验中通过平台的次数三染毒组亦少于对照组(P<0.05),且高浓度组少于低浓度组;60 d水迷宫试验中仅高浓度组的逃逸潜伏期长于对照组且空间探索试验中通过平台的次数少于对照组(P<0.05),而中、低浓度组与对照组亦无差异(P>0.05)。结论大鼠孕期铅暴露可使子代鼠血铅、海马铅及大脑皮层铅含量增高,并对仔鼠的学习记忆功能造成损伤,这种损伤可能随着仔鼠日龄增加有部分代偿作用。     

兰州市8～10岁儿童甲状腺肿大现况调查分析

目的分析兰州市(8～10)岁儿童甲状腺肿大情况,了解儿童碘摄入情况。方法于2016年按照甘肃省碘缺乏病监测方案,在兰州市8个区(县)分层整群随机抽取43所小学,每个区(县)随机抽取(8～10)岁学生200名(共1 600名)作为研究对象,收集年龄、性别、甲状腺容积、尿碘化物和碘盐等相关资料。结果 1 600名(8～10)岁儿童甲状腺容积中位数M为3. 95 m L,甲状腺肿大率为3. 25%,男性儿童甲状腺容积中位数高于女性儿童(P<0. 01)。不同性别和不同年龄间甲状腺肿大率及不同年龄儿童甲状腺容积中位数均无统计学差异(P>0. 05)。碘盐M为23. 80 mg/kg,合格碘盐率为93. 06%,不同性别和不同年龄碘盐摄入量均无统计学差异(P>0. 05)。合格碘盐组甲状腺容积中位数低于不合格碘盐组和非碘盐组,不同碘盐水平下甲状腺容积中位数和甲状腺肿大率差异均无统计学意义(P> 0. 05)。尿碘化物中位数为190. 00μg/L,男性尿碘化物含量高于女性(P <0. 01)。不同年龄组间尿碘化物含量无统计学差异(P>0. 05),儿童尿碘化物与甲状腺容积呈正相关。结论兰州市(8～10)岁儿童碘营养总体处于适宜水平,甲状腺容积与碘营养状况相关。     

深圳市龙华区学龄前儿童全血中铅、钙、锌、铜、镁和铁的水平

目的评估深圳市0至7岁儿童全血中铅和5种必需元素的水平和相关性。方法选择2017年1月至2018年9月在某院儿童健康体检中心接受体检的3 102名健康儿童为研究对象。利用原子吸收光谱法对儿童血液中钙(Ca)、锌(Zn)、铜(Cu)、镁(Mg)、铁(Fe)、铅(Pb)等6种元素浓度水平进行检测。分析和比较不同发育期组中必需元素的分布,并采用Pearson相关性评估铅(Pb)元素和必需元素的关系。结果所有儿童的Pb平均含量为(40.16±16.10)μg/L,Pb中毒的患病率为0.55%(17/3 102)。与婴儿组Pb浓度(43.17±15.43)μg/L和幼儿组Pb浓度(40.51±15.07)μg/L相比,学龄前组的Pb浓度(32.51±14.20)μg/L显著降低(F=13.86,P <0.01)。分别有6.45%(200/3 102)、22.82%(708/3 102)、6.32%(196/3 102)、35.62%(1 105/3 102)的儿童的Cu、Zn、Ca、Fe含量低于正常阈值。随着年龄的增长,Cu、Zn、Fe浓度逐渐增加,而Ca浓度逐渐降低。Pearson相关性分析显示Zn和Mg、Fe (r分别为0.440和0.499,P<0.01),Cu和Zn、Ca、Mg、Fe (r分别为0.335、0.242、0.419、0.316,P <0.01),Ca和Mg (r=0.349,P<0.01),Mg和Fe(r=0.645,P <0.01)之间均存在显著的正相关,而Pb和Zn、Fe之间存在显著的负相关(r分别为-0.279和-0.224,P<0.05)。结论深圳市学龄前阶段儿童血Pb中毒的患病率控制良好,但儿童的整体血Pb水平并不乐观。血Pb水平可能受到儿童某些必需微量金属状态的影响,补充营养元素可能有助于减少Pb的吸收。     

北京市某室内游泳馆儿童游泳者暴露参数调查

目的通过对北京市某室内游泳馆中儿童游泳者进行调查,获取儿童游泳者游泳相关行为模式暴露参数资料。方法对入馆游泳的(6～17)岁儿童进行问卷调查,并对不同年龄组(6～<9、9～<12、12～<15、15～<18岁)、不同性别儿童游泳者的暴露参数进行统计分析。结果此次研究共调查业余儿童游泳者402名,其中平均体重、身高、游泳持续年限、游泳频率、游泳时间、淋浴时间、更衣时间、准备活动及休息时间、游泳过程吞水量分别为40. 46 kg、148. 66 cm、2 a、4次/月、59、15、11、10 min/次及40. 50 m L/次。女性儿童游泳者较男性的游泳频率略低,而更衣时长、淋浴时长均高于男性,差异均有统计学意义(P<0. 05);不同年龄组中游泳持续年限、游泳频率、游泳时间具有一定差异,且差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。结论不同年龄、性别儿童游泳者行为模式暴露参数存在一定差异。且室内游泳馆中游泳相关行为模式多样,在进行健康风险评价时应全面考虑各行为模式暴露所致风险。     

低盐胁迫对白条双锯鱼相关生理指标的影响

为研究低盐胁迫对白条双锯鱼Amphiprion frenatus生理指标的影响,试验设置3个盐度组(盐度20、25、31),在水温(25. 0±0. 5)℃条件下,低盐胁迫后3、12、48 h时测定湿体质量为(5. 42±1. 29) g的成体白条双锯鱼的血细胞总数、鳃丝Na⁺-K+-K⁺-ATP酶(NKA)活力、肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力的变化。结果表明:整个低盐胁迫过程中,各试验组白条双锯鱼个体活力正常,无死亡现象;盐度胁迫后48 h时,鱼体血细胞总数随盐度的降低而减少,且20盐度组在48 h时鱼体血细胞数量显著低于对照组(盐度31)和25盐度组(P<0. 05);鳃丝Na+-ATP酶(NKA)活力、肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力的变化。结果表明:整个低盐胁迫过程中,各试验组白条双锯鱼个体活力正常,无死亡现象;盐度胁迫后48 h时,鱼体血细胞总数随盐度的降低而减少,且20盐度组在48 h时鱼体血细胞数量显著低于对照组(盐度31)和25盐度组(P<0. 05);鳃丝Na⁺-K+-K⁺-ATP酶(NKA)活力在盐度20、25胁迫下随时间的延长呈先升高后下降的趋势,NKA活力在盐度25整个胁迫期间均显著高于对照组和20盐度组(P<0. 05),在盐度20胁迫下,仅在12 h时显著高于对照组(P<0. 05); 20、25盐度组肝脏SOD活性在各时间点均高于对照组,但无显著性差异(P>0. 05);整个试验期间内,20盐度组CAT活力3 h时显著高于对照组(P<0. 05),而12 h和48 h均显著低于对照组(P<0. 05),25盐度组CAT活力与对照组无显著性差异(P>0. 05)。研究表明,盐度20、25胁迫48 h内会显著影响白条双锯鱼的血细胞数、Na+-ATP酶(NKA)活力在盐度20、25胁迫下随时间的延长呈先升高后下降的趋势,NKA活力在盐度25整个胁迫期间均显著高于对照组和20盐度组(P<0. 05),在盐度20胁迫下,仅在12 h时显著高于对照组(P<0. 05); 20、25盐度组肝脏SOD活性在各时间点均高于对照组,但无显著性差异(P>0. 05);整个试验期间内,20盐度组CAT活力3 h时显著高于对照组(P<0. 05),而12 h和48 h均显著低于对照组(P<0. 05),25盐度组CAT活力与对照组无显著性差异(P>0. 05)。研究表明,盐度20、25胁迫48 h内会显著影响白条双锯鱼的血细胞数、Na⁺-K+-K⁺-ATP酶活力,盐度20会显著影响该鱼的CAT活力,但整个低盐胁迫过程并未影响鱼体的摄食和存活,相关生理指标的变化可为白条双锯鱼的淡化养殖提供参考依据。     

复方中草药对大菱鲆幼鱼生长性能及非特异性免疫指标的影响

为研究复方中草药对大菱鲆Scophthalmus maximus幼鱼生长及免疫性能的影响,以基础饲料为对照组(D0),将白术、甘草、当归、山楂、陈皮、防风、五味子、茯苓等16种中草药按中医配伍理论设计出4组中草药配方,并将4种配方中草药经砂锅熬煮后的汤药按一定量分别添加到基础饲料中(2%)作为试验饲料(D1、D2、D3、D4); 5组饲料分别投喂平均体质量为10 g的大菱鲆幼鱼8周,研究4种复方中药添加剂对大菱鲆生长及非特异性免疫指标的影响。结果表明:D1、D3、D4试验组鱼的增重率(WGR)及特定生长率(SGR)与对照组(D0)无显著性差异(P>0. 05),仅D2试验组增重率和特定生长率较D0、D3、D4组显著性增高(P<0. 05),而饲料系数(FCR)较D0组有显著性降低(P<0. 05); D1组鱼的脏体比(VI)显著高于D0组(P<0. 05),其他组与D0组无显著性差异(P>0. 05);血液指标中,D1、D2、D3组鱼体内葡萄糖(GLU)含量显著高于D0组(P<0. 05),且D1组显著高于D2、D3组(P<0. 05),D1组甘油三酯(TG)显著高于D0组(P<0. 05),D4组显著低于D0组(P<0. 05),D2、D3组与D0组无显著性差异(P>0. 05);在消化指标的检测中,D4组鱼的前肠脂肪酶(LPS)显著低于D0组(P<0. 05),其他各组与D0组无显著性差异(P<0. 05); D3组鱼的血清中碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活力显著高于D0组和D1、D4组(P<0. 05),其他各组间无显著性差异(P>0. 05); D3组鱼的谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力显著高于其他各组(P<0. 05);各组鱼的T-SOD活力与溶菌酶(LZM)活力无显著性差异(P>0. 05)。研究表明:在本试验条件下,自制的4组复方中草药均不同程度地促进了大菱鲆的生长,但在其他指标方面,4组配方中草药作用效果各有所长; D1、D2组复方中草药在提高增重率、降低饲料系数等指标中作用显著,以D2组中草药效果最佳; D4组复方中草药调节血脂作用显著,可显著降低大菱鲆血浆中甘油三酯和胆固醇含量; D3组复方中草药可通过显著提高大菱鲆血清中过氧化物酶活力提高大菱鲆非特异性免疫能力。     

营养变迁模型体脂变化及与骨密度的关系

目的观察能量限制后不同饮食模式重饲的营养变迁模型体脂的改变以及与骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)的关系。方法 8周龄雄性SD大鼠分为正常饮食(normal chow for 4/12 weeks,NC4/NC12)组、限制饮食(calorie restriction for 4 weeks,R4)组、限食后普通饮食重饲(RN)组、限食后高脂饮食重饲(high-fat diet after calorie restriction,RH)组、高脂饮食(high-fat diet,HF)组。实验4周、12周检测大鼠四肢、躯干及全身的体脂含量及BMD。结果 (1)与同期NC组相比,大鼠各部位脂肪含量在热卡限制期变化不明显(P>0. 05),但四肢/躯干脂肪比例显著下降(分别为0. 418和0. 327),差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05)。重饲后,RN及RH组除上肢外,其他部位脂肪含量(大腿、躯干及全身脂肪含量RN组为22. 80、15. 77、16. 17,RH组为23. 80、18. 55、20. 90)均明显升高(NC12组3部位脂肪含量分别为20. 32、10. 93、12. 47),同时躯干/全身脂肪比例显著增加(P<0. 05),尤以RH组为著(NC12、RN及RH组分别为0. 720、0. 753及0. 765,P<0. 01),达到HF组(0. 768)水平。大腿/全身脂肪比例在重饲后呈下降趋势,其中RH组(0. 115)差异有统计学意义(NC12为0. 150,P<0. 05)。四肢/躯干脂肪比例在RN (0. 237)、RH(0. 205)及HF (0. 210)组均明显降低(NC12为0. 320),但3组间比较,差异无统计学意义。(2)热卡限制使全身(0. 111 g/cm2)、躯干(0. 094 g/cm2)及大腿(0. 098 g/cm2) BMD呈显著下降趋势(NC4分别为0. 120、0. 109及0. 107 g/cm2,P<0. 05)。恢复饮食后,RN及RH组的BMD均有不同程度的提升,RN组3个部位的BMD均恢复至正常水平(P>0. 05),RH组全身(0. 145 g/cm2)、躯干(0. 127 g/cm2)及大腿(0. 121 g/cm2)3个部位的BMD仍明显低于NC12组(3个部位BMD分别为0. 150、0. 136及0. 130 g/cm2)。HF组躯干(0. 141g/cm2)及全身BMD (0. 153 g/cm2)均明显高于NC12组(P<0. 01)。(3)多元逐步回归结果显示,体质量是影响全身、大腿及躯干BMD的最重要因素,r值分别为0. 894,0. 754,0. 914 (P<0. 001);除体质量外,大腿/全身脂肪比例是影响全身BMD (r=-0. 583,P<0. 001)、躯干脂肪含量是影响躯干BMD (r=-0. 675,P<0. 001)的另一重要因素。结论营养变迁可导致全身不同部位脂质含量增加,躯干部脂肪堆积明显,以限食后开放高脂饮食为著;各部位骨密度在营养变迁过程中,呈现先降低后升高的动态改变,高脂饮食重饲骨密度恢复程度较正常饮食重饲为差;体质量、大腿/全身脂肪比例及躯干脂肪含量是影响全身及局部骨密度的重要因素。     

Lead in candle emissions

The candle-using public should be made aware that the core of candle wicks may contain lead. Used as a stiffening agent to keep the wick out of the molten wax, lead can be emitted as particulates to the air and then deposited on indoor surfaces. To define the problem, 100 sets of candles (two or more identical candles) were purchased locally. The criterion for purchase was that the candles must appear to contain a metal-cored wick or be covered by a metallic pigment. Of the candles purchased, 8% contained lead wicks. The wicks were 39-74% lead (the remainder was fabric or paper) and the lead cores (approx. 100% lead) had linear densities of 13-27 mg/cm. Candles were burned to completion in a closed chamber to capture the air emissions, and the candle residue was extracted to assess the lead mass balance. It was found that individual candles emitted lead to the air at average rates that ranged from 100 to 1700 microg/h. Assuming realistic indoor conditions, these emission rates were modeled to project room air concentration, child exposure by inhalation, and indoor deposition. Results showed that burning single candles can easily raise the source room concentration above the ambient air lead concentration limit of 1.5 microg/m3 set by EPA. Burning multiple candles can elevate it above OSHA permissible exposure limits of 50 microg/m3. Although blood lead levels have dropped precipitously in the United States since lead was phased out of gasoline in 1986, nearly 900,000 children still had levels above 10 microg/dl during NHANES III. Considering that candle sales in the US are estimated at $1-2 billion per year, and that children may spend as much as 88% of their time indoors, it is reasonable to suspect that some blood lead elevation in children arises from indoor micro-environments where lead-wick candles are burned.     

Particulate Lead in Water Supplies

This paper describes research in areas where the occasional failure to meet the EC standard for lead in drinking water is due to the presence of particulate lead. A method is described to disinguish between soluble, particulate and colloidal lead in tap water, and characteristics are given of water sources which are most likely to suffer from this form of lead problem. At least two types of particulate (insoluble) lead in tap water have been identified, and some factors are discussed which cause the occurrence of both types. Interim results of trials are presented, with remedial actions.     

Lead levels in Birmingham dust

Dust is important as a factor affecting amenity and there are suggestions that it can make a significant contribution to the exposure of children to toxic materials and particularly to lead. The results are presented of an investigation into the lead concentrations in dust collected in Birmingham. Relationships are shown to exist between samples from similar areas and the distributions of lead concentrations throughout the City are shown. However, interpretations must be made with caution and this is illustrated by referring to some of the problems involved in the collection and chemical analysis of the samples.     

硫酸铅分离-EDTA滴定法测定铜闪速冶炼烟尘中的铅

建立了用硫酸形成硫酸铅沉淀加以分离,再用EDTA络合滴定法测定铜闪速冶炼烟尘中铅量的方法。试样用盐酸、硝酸、硫酸、氟化氢铵和高氯酸溶解,用硫酸沉淀铅与其它干扰元素分离,沉淀溶解于乙酸-乙酸钠缓冲溶液中,以巯基乙酸掩蔽铋,抗坏血酸掩蔽铁,二甲酚橙作指示剂,用Na_2EDTA标准滴定溶液滴定溶液中铅含量,采用火焰原子吸收光谱法测定滤液中铅含量加以补正。实验结果表明,沉淀时硫酸(1+24)加入量为50mL,无水乙醇加入量为10mL,乙酸-乙酸钠缓冲溶液加入量为30mL。方法相对标准偏差(RSD)在0.35%～1.5%,加标回收率为在99.0%～101%。完全满足生产控制分析的要求,同时也可以作为类似物料中铅分析的参考方法。     

Lead in drinking water and health

This paper reviews recent findings and actions in the United Kingdom concerning lead in tap water and its biological effects, discusses some problems which arise with action to reduce exposure and outlines the limitations in the scientific evidence, with particular emphasis on the evidence concerning neuropsychological effects.     

Lead content in household paints in India

Lead and its compounds are used in paints not only to impart colour but also to make it durable, corrosion resistant and to improve drying. Adverse health impacts of lead especially on children have led countries to restrict or ban its use in paints. While U.S. and other developed countries instituted measures to limit the use of lead in paints, some developing countries including India have failed to regulate their lead content. The present study was undertaken to determine the levels of lead in new latex (water-based) and enamel paints (oil-based) intended for residential use in India. A total of 69 paint samples (38 latex and 31 enamel samples) from six of the most popular brands were analysed for lead concentrations. While all latex paint samples contained low levels of lead, (i.e., well below 600 ppm as regulated by United States' Consumer Products Safety Commission) the enamel paint samples of all but one brand contained significant concentrations of lead, ranging up to 140,000 ppm. In fact 84% of the enamel paints tested exceeded 600 ppm whereas only 38 % of all samples (including latex and enamel types) exceeded this regulatory level.     

Lead in glasgow street dirt and soul

The levels of lead in city street dirt and in soil from various locations in Glasgow were investigated during spring 1976. Lead concentrations in street dirt ranged from 150–2300 ppm, mean 960 ppm, and were significantly elevated with respect to the observed “natural” level of 78 ppm. Lead derived from anti-knock compounds in petrol and introduced to the environment via automobile exhausts was clearly implicated as the main source of lead pollution in a series of soil lead measurements at the centre and periphery of eight Glasgow parks.Various chemical leaching techniques were employed and compared. Less than 5% of street dirt and soil lead was found to be associated with the organic phase.     

Lead in the urban environment—2

In the urban environment the two main culprits appear to be lead paints and airborne lead from automotive traffic. As to the first, there are actually in the market low‐lead but not free‐lead paints, and the former may be quite toxic. The second culprit is airborne lead from car exhaust fumes. This is certainly a European if not a worldwide problem, since airborne lead concentration, overwhelmingly due to automotive traffic, is now ranging from 0^.5 to more than 10 μg/m³ in European cities. Airborne lead is taken up by lungs in a proportion of 27–62%, a fact to be reflected upon in view of lead inhalation in certain factories and in city streets. The so‐called safe blood lead levels are now seriously questioned due to contradictions in the literature and in clinical case histories involving children. The removal of lead from petrol is advocated.     

Lead and cadmium composition in indoor dust

Pb and Cd levels in different size fractions of indoor dust have been analyzed by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) after digestion with HNO₃ and HF using a microwave oven. The relationship between Pb and Cd levels with dust size have been investigated and the metal levels in different sources of indoor dust are compared. In addition, the Pb and Cd composition in different size fractions of dust have been investigated by a sequential extraction method. Dusts are dominated by particulate matter < 500 μm. Pb levels in office dust in the particulate fraction > 75 μm are clearly shown to be higher than that in domestic dust. Generally, for domestic premises, Pb and Cd levels increase with a decrease in the particle size and with an increase in house age, while for office dust, the Pb level increases with an increase of particle size. For domestic houses, most of the metals are bound to carbonate and FeMn oxides in fine dust. For office dust, the situation is more complicated, with a clear increase in Pb in the organic and residue fractions in coarse dust.     

Lead contamination of the environment in Russia

Contamination of the environment by lead is recognised throughout the world as one of the major environmental problems. The main goal of this paper is to present objective and systematic data on this problem in Russia. Here we show that in spite of a crisis of industry, the degree of contamination of various parts of the environment in urban areas remains very high. A considerable proportion of the urban population of the country, especially children, are running the risk of a detrimental effect of lead compounds in various parts of the environment and in foodstuffs.