Effects of pollution on lead and cadmium concentration and correlation with biochemical parameters in blood of human population nearby Kosovo thermo power plants

Abstract

This study describes an investigation of lead and cadmium pollution of Kosovo environment as a result of outflow from the coal processing industry. In a comparative study of lead and cadmium concentration in blood of human population of two different environments in Kosovo, one nearby Kosovo Thermo Power Plants, (Obiliq) a highly polluted environment and the other that is considered as relatively clean rural environment (Dragash). Analysis has shown that emission of particulate in fly ash from Thermo Power Plants during 2005 has exceeded EU standards by 400-500% and that lead concentration was 18mg kg^-1 and cadmium concentration was <0.5 mg kg^-1 of ash. A series of determinations of lead and cadmium concentrations in blood of population that lives in this environment, have shown direct effects in biochemical parameters CRE (Creatinin), DB (Direct Bilirubine), TB (Total Bilirubine), AST (Aspartat Aminotransferaza), CK (Creatin Kinaza) and CHE (Cholenisteraza) in human organism. The results that were achieved in this study showed a significant difference in average lead and cadmium concentration in the blood of the investigated group of peoples that lives in the area near by the Power Plants, from a control group that lives in a rural unpolluted environment. Lead and cadmium has been analyzed in 50 samples taken from persons from industrial zone and 25 samples in controlled group. The level of lead concentration was 23.0-112.1 µg L^-1 in geometric average 46.05 µg L^-1, cadmium concentration was 0.44-6.02 µg L^-1 in geometric average of 1.56µg L^-1. Controlled group from the rural relatively clean environment showed lead concentration of 6.7-33.8 µg L^-1 in geometric avarage 17.76 µg L^-1 and cadmium concentration of 0.21-1.8 µg L^-1 or in geometric average of 0.73 µg L^-1. In conclusion in exposed subjects, pollution from coal burning in Power Plant is very important factor for level of lead and cadmium concentration in blood of tested population.