Humans are exposed to different stress factors that are responsible for over-production of reactive oxygen species. Exposure to heavy metals is one of these factors. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of chronic exposure to heavy metals through coal flying ash on the efficiency of antioxidative defensive mechanisms, represented by the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and ascorbic acid. Nonessential elements such as arsenic and mercury levels showed a significant increase (p > 0.001) in the power plant workers rather than in the control subjects. There were no significant differences of blood cadmium between power plant workers and control subjects. We found a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between BAs/SZn (r = 0.211), BAs/BSe (r = 0.287), BCd/SCu (r = 0.32) and BHg/BSe (r = 0.263) in the plant workers. Red blood cell antioxidant enzymes and plasma ascorbic acid were significantly lower in power plants workers than in the control group (p < 0.002). We can conclude that levels of mercury, arsenic and cadmium in blood, despite their concentration within the reference values, significantly affect plasma ascorbic acid concentration, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, which are able to increase the risk of oxidative stress.

This study describes an investigation of lead and cadmium pollution of Kosovo environment as a result of outflow from the coal processing industry. In a comparative study of lead and cadmium concentration in blood of human population of two different environments in Kosovo, one nearby Kosovo Thermo Power Plants, (Obiliq) a highly polluted environment and the other that is considered as relatively clean rural environment (Dragash). Analysis has shown that emission of particulate in fly ash from Thermo Power Plants during 2005 has exceeded EU standards by 400-500% and that lead concentration was 18mg kg^-1 and cadmium concentration was <0.5 mg kg^-1 of ash. A series of determinations of lead and cadmium concentrations in blood of population that lives in this environment, have shown direct effects in biochemical parameters CRE (Creatinin), DB (Direct Bilirubine), TB (Total Bilirubine), AST (Aspartat Aminotransferaza), CK (Creatin Kinaza) and CHE (Cholenisteraza) in human organism. The results that were achieved in this study showed a significant difference in average lead and cadmium concentration in the blood of the investigated group of peoples that lives in the area near by the Power Plants, from a control group that lives in a rural unpolluted environment. Lead and cadmium has been analyzed in 50 samples taken from persons from industrial zone and 25 samples in controlled group. The level of lead concentration was 23.0-112.1 µg L^-1in geometric average 46.05 µg L^-1, cadmium concentration was 0.44-6.02 µg L^-1 in geometric average of 1.56µg L^-1. Controlled group from the rural relatively clean environment showed lead concentration of 6.7-33.8 µg L^-1 in geometric avarage 17.76 µg L^-1 and cadmium concentration of 0.21-1.8 µg L^-1 or in geometric average of 0.73 µg L^-1. In conclusion in exposed subjects, pollution from coal burning in Power Plant is very important factor for level of lead and cadmium concentration in blood of tested population

This study describes an investigation of effects of environmental pollution as a result of outflow from the coal processing industry. Coal is one the largest deposits of fossil inorganic material where metal accumulations have been observed. The trace elements in coal that could have an undesirable environmental impact include: Hg, Pb, Be, Se, As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Ge, Mn, V and Co. Dust consisting of fly ash and bottom ash is one the main components of the environmental pollution that is released from the industrial area of thermopower plants of ‘‘Kosova’’. Analysis of the emission of the fly ash from thermopower plants of ‘‘Kosovo’’ during 2005 showed that contamination had exceeded EU standards by 400—500%. In a comparative study of biochemical parameters in blood of human population of two different environments in Kosovo, one done near by the Kosovo thermopower plants in Obiliç, a highly polluted environment investigated group and the other that is considered as a relatively clean rural environment in Dragash, control group. Based on the results achieved in this study, it can be concluded that the pollution emitted from Kosovo thermopower plants by releasing fly ash and bottom ash to the environment has a direct effect on human health of the population living in the industrial area of Obiliç.

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Problem statement: The study described the research of the effects that the environment pollution and smoking have in cadmium concentration in human blood, as well as in the correlation between cadmium and the biochemical parameters. Approach: In a comparative study of cadmium concentration in blood of human population of two different environments in Kosovo, one nearby Kosovo Thermo Power Plants (Obiliq), a highly polluted environments (Investigated Group) and the other that was considered as relatively clean rural environment Dragash (control group). Results: The results showed that there exists a significant difference in the average concentration of cadmium in human blood between the Investigated Group (IG) and the Control Group (CG) (t = -3.34, p = 0.0006). The series of determination of cadmium concentration in blood of population that lives in this environment had shown direct effects in biochemical parameters (direct bilirubine, total bilirubine). Conclusion: Air pollution (from coal burning in power plant) and smoking were very important factors for the level of cadmium concentration in blood, which had an inhibitory effect in the syntheses of bilirubine.