Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal Contamination

1. Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal Contamination Among People Living Near the Industrial Areas of Nam Phong Watershed Wannanapa Srathonghon1 and WongsaLaohasiriwong2 1Doctor of Public Health Program Faculty of Public Health, KhonKaen University, KhonKaen, Thailand 2Department of Public Health Administration, Faculty of Public Health, KhonKaen University, KhonKaen,Thailand and Board Committee ofResearch and Training Centre for Enhancing Quality of Life of Working Age People (REQW).

2. Background and Rationale In 20th century, Industrialization and urbanization has dramatically increased the discharge of large amount of wastewater accompanied with toxic chemical (Khan et al, 2008; Eman & Gordon, 2011)

3. Background and Rationale • Heavy metals (Cadmium:Cd, Lead:Pb and Mercury:Hg) become the part of wastewater that originates from natural and anthropogenic (industrial process, agriculture, mining and household waste disposal) (Wilson and Pyatt, 2007) • The toxicokinetic of Cd, Pb and Hg were potential effects on the population, depend on the chemical form that can be regulated or store in the organism (Eman & Gordon, 2011 ; D’Ilio et al, 2013)

4. Background and Rationale Biological magnification Biotransference Human 4th consumer Bioaccumulation 3rd consumer 2nd consumer Bioaccumulation 1st consumer Producer (Mansourand Sidky, 2003; Friis, 2007;Udonsin, 2010)

5. Background and Rationale • Bio- accumulation of heavy metal in fish could result in bio-transference and bio-magnification of hazardous heavy metals in human, because of fish consumption (Mansour and Sidky, 2003) • Increasing heavy metal accumulation in fish and shellfish as a result of growth in both industrial and agricultural sectors may worsen the health of people in watershed areas(Preeprem , 2003)

6. Background and Rationale Routes of heavy metals through the body 1. Oral exposure 2. Distribution 5. Skin Absorption 3. Inhalation 4. Ingestion/Absorption Detoxification (Liver and Gall bladder) Detoxification (Kidney,Stools) (Prozialeck, WC., et al., 2008 ; Bose-D’ Reilly, 2010)

7. Background and Rationale • The health effect of Cd, Pb and Hg ( Jarup, 2003; ATSDR, 2008) • Cd : Lung and kidney damage, fragile bone, mutagenesis, carcinogenesis • Pb: Nervous system , elevated blood pressure, renal and tumor infection, improper haemoglobin synthesis and reproductive system • Hg : Neurological impairment , lung kidney and brain damage , development of fetus

8. Objective • To determine the level of serum heavy metals in the people who lived within10 kilometres from the Nam Phong river, Nam Phong District, KhonKaen, Thailand near industrial settings.

9. Methodology • Research design: A cross sectional study • Population:The people who lived within10 kmsfrom the Nam Phong river, Nam Phong District, KhonKaenProvince • : Living near industrial setting • Sampling Method : 420 sample, Systematic random sampling , using a list of the people who lived within10 kilometres from the Nam Phong river, near industrial

10. Methodology • Research Tools : • Blood samples • Cd and Pb were analyzed by graphite furnance atomic absorption spectrometry • Hg was analyzed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry • Structured questionnaire interview • General Characteristic • Duration of being in this industrial area • Distance from residential area to nearest industry. • Occupational exposure

11. Methodology • Data Analysis: • Descriptive statistics: Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation, Median, Minimum, Maximum and95% CI to determine the level of serum heavy metals. 95% CI • Inferential statistics: t - test

12. Study area North Northeast Central South

13. Study area • The Nam Phong river flows throughmany provinces in the Northeast of Thailand, which have different utilization activities: • Agriculture : pesticide use in farming, fish culture • Community : household waste and tourism, • Industry: Pulp and paper mill, Sugar refinery, Whiskey Factory, Furniture factory

14. Results

15. Results *Safety recommended level (ATSDR, 2012 ) • Blood Cd and Pb levels were within the safely recommended level for human health • 4.29% of the respondents had higher Hg level than the safety recommended level

16. Results

17. Discussion • The mean Cd level in our study was 0.97 µg/dL. • This concentration is higher than that report for US adult (Navas-Acien et al, 2009) and Italy (D’Ilio et al, 2013). • However, the concentration were lower than safety recommended level (5 µg/dL , ATSDR, 2012)

18. Discussion • In our study blood Pb level, 2.80 µg/dL was significantly lower than the safety recommended level (15 µg/dL, ASTDR, 2012), • Whereas, the survey of Germany in 1998, Korea (2012) and US(CDC, 2009) reported a geometric mean of blood Pb level were higher than safety recommended level (30.7 µg/L , 19.1 µg/L and17.5 µg/L, respectively).

19. Discussion • The blood Hg level is significant higher in Korea (Lee et al, 2012) and Asians population (Hightower et al, 2006) Similarity, 4.26% of our study had higher Hg levelthan the safety recommended level (10 µg/dL, ATSDR, 2012) • These result could be explain by the traditionally fish consumed among Asian population

20. Acknowledgements • This study was supported by the Office of the Higher Education Commission, National Research Universities • (Supracluster: Environment and Natural Resources ) • (Cluster: Holistic Watershed Management , KhonKaen University)

21. Thank you for your attention!