BLOOD LEAD LEVELS AMONG POPULATIONS DIFFERENTIALLY EXPOSED TO VEHICULAR EXHAUST IN ROHTAK, INDIA

In the absence of local industrial sources of lead, leaded gasoline has been suggested as the major source of lead in the urban atmosphere of Rohtak town, situated near Delhi metropolitan city and with a high vehicular density. Blood lead levels were measured in 42 male volunteers from within the Rohtak area with varying degrees of exposure to vehicular exhaust. The occupationally exposed group with a daily exposure of 10-12 h in automobile workshops was found to have the highest levels of blood lead (mean value 21.26 mug dl-1) followed by roadside population (mean value 14.91 mug dl-1). This group of people had a daily exposure of 8-10 h in their business establishments, situated at a distance of less than 5 to about 10 ft (<1.5-c. 3.0 m) from the road with an average traffic density of 8000 vehicles day-1. Urban residents were found to have higher blood lead levels (mean value 9.85 mug dl-1) than the rural ones (mean value 3.34 mug dl-1). The values were found to increase correspondingly with the increase in age and smoking habits within the particular categories of volunteers. The levels found in the present study are comparable to those reported from other major cities of India, but well within the tolerable limits as recommended by the European Economic Community.