Traditional eye cosmetics 'Surma' use is a popular practice. A total 34 'Surma' samples of black, brown, orange, grey and white were collected and analysed for the presence of lead. High lead levels were detected in all samples except white colour 'Surma'. Blood lead concentrations were measured in 93 children, of whom 69 used 'Surma' regularly. The mean blood lead concentration of 'Surma' users was found to be 29.6 ± 10.2 μg/100 ml; where as non user's value was 4.9 ± 0.8 μg/100 ml. Also, the low haemoglobin levels were observed in the users (10.2 ± 1.4 g/100 ml). In conclusion, the use of 'Surma' is associated with high blood lead concentration with significant reduction of haemoglobin levels. For better quality of life, the use of lead free 'Surma' is suggested.

Fasting samples of 1396 apparently healthy, middle class Bengali population of Kolkata, West Bengal were tested for total cholesterol, triglyceddes, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, over a pedod of three years. The values obtained were (in mg/dl) 190 + 33, 132 + 42, 53 + 10, 116 :!: 30 and 21 + 7 respectively. When these subjects were grouped according to the age and sex, no appreciable difference were observed between most of the groups. Tdglyceride was found to be low and HDL cholesterol was high in women below 30 years when compared with men of similar age. Beyond 60 years, cholesterol level as well as low density lipoprotein cholesterol was found to be gradually increased in case of women. Besides these changes, other minor differences were not statistically significant. It is suggested that the lipid values of the present study should be taken as a base parameters and the clinical evaluation be made on the basis of these finding. KEY WORDSLipid profile, lipoproteins, lipid triad index, epidemiological study.

Jewelry utilizes lead either directly or as a base metal. Costume jewelry requires lead before molding and plating the product with valuable metals. Therefore, such ornaments have a great potential to release heavy metals having health hazards. Also, jewelry makers engaged in preparing German silver, an alloy, apply lead in smelting, alloying, rolling and milling silver wires and pieces. The metal is taken up by blood, soft tissues and bone. The biological effects of lead are dependent upon the level and duration of exposure. Lead inhibits three enzymes of heme biosynthesis-d-amino-levulinic-acid dehydratase (ALAD), coproporphyrin oxidase, and ferrochelatase, impairing heme synthesis and depressing serum level of erythropoietin resulting in decreased hemoglobin synthesis. Lead exposure also affects calcium metabolism and impair the synthesis of Calcitriol. In the present study, jewelry makers from Dhaka, Bangladesh, were shown to have significantly high levels of lead, protein, albumin, and parathormone in their blood, and significantly high amount of zinc-protoporphyrin and d-amino-levulinic-acid in their urine. The control group, on the other hand showed significantly higher amounts of calcium (both total and ionized form) Vitamin D 3 and non-activated erythrocyte ALAD in their blood, along with hemoglobin. It might be due to inhibition of 1-a-hydroxylase enzyme in renal tubules. Lead causes nephro-toxicity and inhibits 1-a-hydroxylase enzyme leading to decreased calcitriol synthesis resulting in impaired calcium absorption across gastro-intestinal tract and renal tubules. Low Vitamin D 3 and significantly increased Parathyroid hormone (PTH) in study group has been found.

It is well known that chronic exposure of lead leads to adverse health effects. Workers for plastic industry are generally exposed to high concentration of lead as fume, dust, and additive that protect PVC. This study was done on them to find out the detrimental effects of chronic lead exposure on hepatic and hematological toxicity. Blood and 24 h urine sample was collected from 47 plastic industry workers and matched against 42 controls for various parameters. The study group shows significant increase in blood (p \ 0.0001) and urinary level of lead (p \ 0.0001). Hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased (p \ 0.0001), and the liver enzymes like ALP, ALT, AST and y-GT were significantly increased (p \ 0.0001) in all cases exposed for [10 years. Serum lipid peroxide by quantitative assay of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was also found increased in the study group (p \ 0.0001). The observations point towards the acute health risk faced by plastic industry workers, in whom chronic exposure to lead increases the absorption and accumulation, over a period of time, of this highly toxic element in their body. This increases oxidative stress, causes metabolic damage to RBC and cell membranes, and also suggests necrosis of liver cell, hepatocellular injury and presence of space occupying lesions. Considering the data immediate health and hygiene monitoring and proper rehabilitation for the suffering population seem to be of paramount need in plastic industry to minimize occupational hazards.

Heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd) concentrations and their chemical speciations were investigated for the first time in bed sediments of Bharali River, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra River of the Eastern Himalayas. Levels of Fe, Mn, Pb, and Cd in the bed sediments were much below the average Indian rivers; however, Cu and Zn exhibit levels on the higher side. Enrichment factors (EF) of all metals was greater than 1 and a higher trend of EF was seen in the abandoned channel for most metals. Pb showed maximum EF of 32 at site near an urban center. The geoaccumulation indices indicate that Bharali river is moderately polluted. The metals speciations, done by a sequential extraction regime, show that Cd, Cu, and Pb exhibit considerable presence in the exchangeable and carbonate fraction, thereby showing higher mobility and bioavailability. On the other hand, Ni, Mn, and Fe exhibit greater presence in the residual fraction and Zn was dominant in the Fe-Mn oxide phase. Inter-species correlations at three sites did not show similar trends for metal pairs indicating potential variations in the contributing sources.

Hyper-ferrous state is the result of multiple transfusions, whereby the iron excess in such conditions may be toxic to the organism. Patients suffering from thalassemia receive multiple transfusions. In the eastern part of India, both ~~ and heterozygous EI3-thalassemia occur. This paper expresses the hyper-ferrous state, leading to iron ovedoad in these two conditions and also reports the increased generation of free radicals, consequent to the iron overload.

Lead poisoning presents a common acquired as well as congenital environmental threat to children's health today. An unusual case of severe lead poisoning in breast fed male infant is presented here. The objective of the study is to describe a patient who developed clinical lead intoxication with an uncommon source of poisoning. A 6 months old male baby presented with gradual loss of weight, not feeding well and persistent vomiting. Laboratory investigation revealed that he was having anemia (Hb level 5.4 gm/dl), abnormal liver enzymes (including elevated transaminase activity) and high blood lead value (83 μg/dl). RBC morphology showed basophilic stippling with cabot ring, suggestive of a case of lead poisoning. A course of chelation treatment using calcium versenate (EDTACaNa2) was prescribed following which a radical solution for mobilization of lead from his systems was observed.

A total of 32 male jewellery workers who had been exposed to the fumes and dust of lead for the previous 10 to 25 years and 22 controls matched for age and economic status were compared with respect to lipid peroxidation, antioxidant levels and copper, zinc status in relation to lead toxicity. Effects of ascorbic acid on these parameters were also noted. Blood haemoglobin, serum copper, zinc and vitamin E, and red cell superoxide dismutase were found to be diminished, with no changes observed in red cell glutathione peroxidase and serum glutathione reductase. Lipid peroxidation product levels were very high. Ascorbic acid supplement, an antioxidant, could partially restore the serum copper and zinc levels and red cell superoxide dismutase, leading to a significant decrease in the mean blood lead concentration of jewellery workers. Dietary supplementation with ascorbic acid can complement other efforts to prevent lead exposure and reduce lead toxicity.