A survey of lead pollution in Baghdad

Lead pollution in Baghdad City was studied. Several potential sources of Pb pollution were investigated, among which are leaded gasoline, battery manufacturing, and printing press type. The study included the analysis of blood samples from males and females of different ages and professions. Particular attention was given to workers who are in direct contact with Pb materials in order to discover whether local contamination is taking place or not. In addition, samples of palm leaves were collected from about twenty five different parts of Baghdad in 1978 and again in 1980 in order to study the distribution and relative increase in Pb deposition caused by vehicles using leaded gasoline. The results were compared with similar samples from less crowded cities. The results of this survey have shown that Pb pollution exists; its scale, however, can not be determined accurately until more data are obtained.