Determination of inoraganic lead in Omdurman Islamic University Press (OIUP)‎

Abstract EN

The contamination by inorganic lead (Pb) at the Omdurman f Islamic University Printing Press (OIUP), was studied, in the printing air samples and blood samples from the printing workers.

Biochemical I parameters for possible lead poisoning were measured in blood and urine samples. Urine samples were tested for glucose, protein, ketones coproporphyrinogen and deposits.

Blood samples were tested for urea.

A questionnaire was designed to find out the workers history and any clinical symptoms associated with lead poisoning.

The questionnaire revealed that about 61.09 % of the workers have one or more symptoms that can be related to lead contamination.

These symptoms include frequent headache, numbness, GIT disorders and difficulty in writing.

The blood lead concentrations ranged betweenl.5- 34.1μg / dl, (mean 15.66 ± 7.49).

About 11.11 % of the sampled workers exceed the biological standard which ranged from 7-22 μg / dl, which means that about 11.11 of the workers are liable to Pb poisoning.

Air lead concentration, which ranged between ( 3.39 - 1.09 mg /m3), (mean 1.6221± 0.8043), exceeded the level recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial hygienists (ACGIH), which has a value of 0.15 mg/m3.

Biochemical tests for most samples showed normal results. However, 22.22 % of the tested samples, were found to have a positive urine protein test.

Study showed that there was no discrimination in contamination by lead between the workers in the different sections of the press.

This finding has been referred to the design of the OIUP building and the poor ventilation.

Because most of the parameters were measured after the press stopped working for 3 weeks for maintenance of its machines.

The study has concluded that there is a contamination by the lead in the press, and has recommended a redesigning of the press building, enough ventilation for all of the OIUP sections and a periodical measuring and monitoring of lead concentration in the work environment.