Effects of environmental lead pollution, smoking, and smokeless tobacco (Maras powder) use on blood lead level

One hundred sixty-four adult male volunteers (29 controls [Group 1] and 135 combi drivers) enrolled in the study. The combi drivers were divided into three groups as nonusers of either Maras powder or cigarette (Group 2), smokers (Group 3), and users of Maras powder (Group 4). Blood lead levels (BLLs) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. BLL was detected as 2.8 +/- 2.3 mu g/dL in Group 1 (n=29); however, it was 3.5 +/- 1.6 mu g/dL in Group 2 (n=33), 3.8 +/- 2.4 mu g/dL in Group 3 (n=62), and 3.9 +/- 2.4 mu g/dL in Group 4 (n=40). BLL in Group 1 was found significantly lower than other groups (p < 0.05). The use of cigarette or Maras powder by the drivers did not give rise to a marked difference on the BLLs (p > 0.05). BLL of (combi) drivers was detected to be significantly higher than nondrivers; however, it was still under the hazardous level of 10 mu g/dL announced by WHO. Although there are publications reporting that usage of tobacco increases the level of lead in blood, both smoking and use of Maras powder did not affect BLL markedly in our study.