Determination of blood heavy metal and arsenic levels of children in Kutahya

Heavy metal contamination of all living organisms increased dramaticaly in recent years because of growing population, industrialization and urbanization. Their increased use by industry made heavy metals one of the most important causes of environmetal pollution. According to Agency for Toxic Substances And Disease Registry report in 2015, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury are among top 7 most dangerous elements. Kutahya is in danger of heavy metal pollution with its power plants, tile and seramic industry, other industrial facilities and mines like coal and boron. Heavy metals have negative effects on neurological development and cognitive functions especially on children. Several studies took place in this region reported heavy metal levels in soil, water resources, plants and fish higher than acceptable limits. Aim of this study is to determine effects of heavy metal pollution on children. Matherial and Method: After ethical commities approval, we applied to Kutahya Provincial Directorate of National Education and Public Health Institution and got permission to perform our study on schools. We visited public schools in Kutahya city center and had parent meetings with children between ages 10-11 in order to inform and get concent from volunteers. We took blood samples from 304 volunteer students and analysed for lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic and copper levels using atomic absorption spectrometer at Dumlupınar University Advanced Technology Research, Development and Application Center. Results: The mean lead level detected in blood analysis is 2,743299±0,3098256 µg/dl. The highest lead level we detected is 5,041 µg/dl. The mean copper level detected is 88,069329±10,4125175 µg/dl and ranged between 70,0320 µg/dl and 140,0030 µg/dl. Arsenic, cadmium and mercury levels detected are lower than 0,1 µg/dl. Conclusion: After our analysis we found that mean lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and copper levels of children in Kutahya are between normal ranges. Only one child had blood lead level above World Health Organization's acceptable limit of 5 µg/dl. Keywords: Kutahya, children, heavy metal, lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, copper