Lead Exposure: A Summary of Global Studies and the Need for New Studies from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Lead poisoning (plumbism) can cause irreversible genetic and reproductive toxicity, hematological effects, neurological damage, and cardiovascular effects. Despite many efforts to minimize lead poisoning, it continues to be a major health concern in many developing and developed countries. Despite efforts to control lead exposure and toxicity, serious cases of lead poisoning increasingly occur as a result of higher vehicular traffic and industrialization. The biomarkers for identification of genetic susceptibility to a particular disease are useful to identify individuals who are at risk for lead poisoning. Although many such studies have been taken up elsewhere, very few studies were performed in Saudi Arabia to assess susceptibility to lead poisoning. This indicates an urgent need for testing of susceptible individuals. The present paper was planned to understand the genetic susceptibility to lead toxicity in the various population studies conducted worldwide and also to correlate it with the current scenario in Saudi Arabia. Such studies are necessary for appropriate precautions in terms of diet and avoiding exposure to be used in order to prevent adverse health effects.

Sources of PM<sub>2.5</sub> carbonaceous aerosol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…This transport pathway was thus consistent with the idea that refineries and cement plants may represent anthropogenic sources of Ca. CWT analysis of Pb showed that high observed concentrations in Riyadh aerosol were associated with transport from Iraq, consistent with the continued usage of leaded fuel in that country (Shaik et al, 2014). PM 10 Pb concentrations were 0.035 ± 0.088 µg m −3 in this study, lower than measurements reported for eastern China (0.05 to 0.5 µg m −3 ; Li et al, 2010) and the greater Cairo area (0.3 µg m −3 ; Safar and Labib, 2010), both locations for which leaded fuel has been phased out of usage, and lower than the US ambient concentration standard for lead (0.15 µg m −3 on a 3-month rolling basis; U.S. EPA, 2006).…”

Sources of PM<sub>2.5</sub> carbonaceous aerosol in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…This transport pathway is thus consistent with the idea that refineries and cement plants may represent anthropogenic sources of Ca. CWT analysis of Pb shows 390 that high observed concentrations in Riyadh aerosol were associated with transport from Iraq, consistent with the continued usage of leaded fuel in that country (Shaik et al, 2014). were associated with transport from a similar region of the Persian Gulf as was high Pb, the high-concentration source region extended further north, encompassing areas with 402 oil fields and refineries and the Baghdad urban region (Fig.…”

Identification of Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase (ALAD) Gene Polymorphism and Its Association with Anemia in Medical Study Programs and Doctor Profession 2012-2014 Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University

“…This is consistent with epidemiological studies conducted in Europe, Asia, and America suggesting that the highest genotype of ALAD-2 is found in Caucasian races with ALAD-1/2 proportions of only 18% and ALAD-1 reaching only 1% of the total population. In contrast, in African and Asian racial populations few subjects were found with ALAD-2 genotype [16,22,23]. ALAD polymorphism produces 3 different phenotypes: ALAD-1, ALAD-1/2, and ALAD-2.…”