Effects of pollution on lead and cadmium concentration and correlation with biochemical parameters in blood of human population nearby Kosovo thermo power plants

Abstract

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

The Effects of Air Pollution and Smoking on Cadmium Concentration in Human Blood and Correlation with Biochemical Parameters

“…As a consequence, in the investigated group there is a lack of correlation between cadmium and Total Bilirubine (TB) and Direct Bilirubines (DB). This competition is also presented in the published results [1] where it is shown that there exists a positive correlation in IG between Pb concentration in blood, the total bilurubine (r = 0.323, p = 0.018) and the direct bilurubine (r = 0.478, p = 0.0006). Relying on this, we can conclude that the positive correlation between Pb concentration, the total bilirubine and the direct bilirubine neutralizes the possible negative correlation between cadmium, TB and DB in the IG (Fig.…”

“…So, the other industrial areas of Obiliq, Power Stations Kosova and lignite mines are the biggest air contaminants in the country [1][2] . The results achieved from the analysis of blood samples on the human population of the investigated group (industrial zone of power station 'Kosova"), are compared with the results of blood samples at the human population of the control group (the population of Dragash, a mountainous municipality with a pure environment, uncontaminated).…”

“…Currently in Kosova, coal is excavated only in the Prishtina Pool, in superficial Mines in Bardh and Mirash, which lie in an open surface, 10-15 km far from Prishtina [1] . Dust (flying ash) and bottom ash are the main components of the environment pollution, which results from the industrial area of Obiliq.…”

“…Dust (flying ash) and bottom ash are the main components of the environment pollution, which results from the industrial area of Obiliq. These components contain elements with high toxic potential such as: Pb, Cd, As, Be and Hg [1,2] . The fact that coal contains many trace elements in it, potentially toxic, as well as the fact that a considerable amount of coal excavated in Kosova (85%) is burned to produce electricity, increased the attention of scientific institutions for the growth of knowledge regarding the presence of such elements in coal [1,2] .…”

“…These components contain elements with high toxic potential such as: Pb, Cd, As, Be and Hg [1,2] . The fact that coal contains many trace elements in it, potentially toxic, as well as the fact that a considerable amount of coal excavated in Kosova (85%) is burned to produce electricity, increased the attention of scientific institutions for the growth of knowledge regarding the presence of such elements in coal [1,2] . Measurements have shown that the emission of the crumbs of flying ash from Thermo Power Plant "Kosova B" during 2005 exceeded the EU standards for 400-500% [4][5][6] .…”