Exposure of the Population of Novi Sad and the Surrounding Areas to Lead

Abstract

There are numerous examples of environmental pollution caused by lead with lead concentrations showing an ever increasing trend (Bellinger et al. 1987; Committee Environmental Hazards 1987). Once lead enters the human body, its effects are toxic and it causes numerous hematologic and neuropsychologic disorders. Children are especially vulnerable, with lead sometimes causing irreversible disorders even in asymptomatic children. This is why studies are being conducted in many countries to find out to what extent children are exposed to lead. This is done by determining the concentration of lead in the blood and protoporphyrin in erythrocytes. Such studies have not been conducted in the Novi Sad region in the province of Vojvodina. Consequently, this chapter is an attempt to determine the possible exposure of the population, especially children, to lead concentrations in Novi Sad and the surrounding villages by determining the lead concentration in the air, potable water, and in the blood from the umbilical cord.