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Comparative Study of the Blood Lead Level among Outdoor and Indoor Traffic Police Sergeants in Quetta City of Pakistan

Author: Nelofer Jamil*,**, Sadaf Ashraf*, Heera Anum*, Mohammad Bilal***, Ambreen*, Naeem Shahwani***, Sunbal Siddique**** and Ayesha Ubaid*

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Abstract

Lead is a toxic chemical element whose wide spread use has caused health and environmental issues all over the globe. It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. This study was conducted in Quetta city to estimate lead level in blood of Traffic Police Sergeants (TPS) with outdoor job description and its effect on their health. To assess the socioeconomic and health conditions of traffic sergeants a detailed questionnaire was formulated. Blood samples were collected from 248 male traffic police sergeants, 20 to 50 years of age, performing duties for almost 8 hours a day in different zones of Quetta city and had been controlling traffic from 5 months to 25 years. Blood lead level (BLL) was estimated by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. BLL of indoor traffic police sergeants ranged in between 20-30 ug/dL whereas BLL of outdoor traffic police sergeants ranged in between 30-40 ug/dL. Since traffic sergeants with outdoor job responsibilities were exposed to vehic

Keywords

Blood Lead Level, lead, health, Quetta, Traffic sergeants

Conclusion

Lead was found in the blood of outdoor traffic sergeants and was significantly related to the place of residence. Although Health education and training is fundamental tool to prevent occupational diseases, measures taken by the relevant authorities in Pakistan to control this problem were found to be insufficient. Stern actions are needed to reduce the use of lead in industries, which may be the source to an increase in the levels of lead in the environment and thus in the blood of our future generations. It is therefore essential to develop strategies to decrease lead pollution by introducing lead free petrol, banning Irani petrol, providing safety equipment and introducing CNG in vehicles.

References

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How to cite this article

Nelofer Jamil, Sadaf Ashraf, Heera Anum, Mohammad Bilal, Ambreen, Naeem Shahwani, Sunbal Siddique and Ayesha Ubaid (2018). Comparative Study of the Blood Lead Level among Outdoor and Indoor Traffic Police Sergeants in Quetta City of Pakistan. Biological F