Assessment of Lead, Cadmium, Nickel, and Chromium Levels in the Blood of Street Beggars in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq

Ameen M.  Aljuraisy

Ameen M. Aljuraisy Kirkuk Education Directorate, Iraqi Ministry of Education, Kirkuk, Iraq

Keywords: Heavy Metals, Pollution, Beggars, Toxicity

Abstract

Beggars constantly expose themselves to environmental pollutants, which pose significant health risks. Among these pollutants, heavy elements are important pollutants that this marginalized community in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq in particular, and in the world in general is exposed to. Lead Pb, cadmium Cd, chromium Cr, and nickel Ni levels were estimated in the blood of beggars in the streets of Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq, and the results obtained were compared with the results of the control group. The study included 75 beggars and 75 control groups, all of whom were males and of the same age groups. Flameless atomic absorption technology was used to estimate the levels of all elements. The results showed a significant increase in the levels of all heavy elements under study in the blood of beggars, as the lead level was 14.2 micrograms/liter in beggars compared to 2.5 micrograms/liter in the control group. Cadmium was 3.1 μg/L versus 0.92 μg/L, chromium was 2.3 μg/L in beggars versus 0.67 μg/L in the control group, while nickel was 3.9 μg/L versus 0.86 μg/L. In general, the concentrations of heavy metals in the blood of adults were higher than in teenages and young children.

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