Levels of heavy metals in urine samples of school children from selected industrial and non-industrial areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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dc.creatorMahugija, John A.M.
dc.creatorKasenya, Zainab S.
dc.creatorKilulya, Kessy F.
dc.date2018-12-19T13:26:56Z
dc.date2018-12-19T13:26:56Z
dc.date2018-12
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-03T13:19:56Z
dc.date.available2021-05-03T13:19:56Z
dc.descriptionObjectives: The levels of lead, zinc, iron, copper and cadmium metals in the urine samples of selected school children in industrial and non-industrial areas in Dar es Salaam were investigated. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 120 children in industrial areas and 120 children in non-industrial areas then digested in concentrated acids and analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: The concentrations of the heavy metals in the urine samples ranged from below detection limit/non-detectable (ND) to 1.92 mg/L for lead, ND to 2.55 mg/L for zinc, ND to 8.98 mg/L for iron and ND to 0.05 mg/L for copper. Cadmium was not detected. Significant differences were found between the concentrations of heavy metals in urine of pupils from the industrial areas and those from non-industrial areas. The mean concentrations of lead and copper in samples from industrial areas were significantly higher than those found in non-industrial areas (p < 0.002), while the mean concentrations of zinc and iron found in samples from non-industrial areas were significantly higher than those found in industrial areas (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The contamination levels were generally high in samples from both areas indicating exposure from various sources. The findings indicate public health risks.
dc.identifierMahugija, J.A., Kasenya, Z.S. and Kilulya, K.F., 2018. Levels of heavy metals in urine samples of school children from selected industrial and non-industrial areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. African Health Sciences 18(4), 1226-1235.
dc.identifier1680-6905
dc.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/5017
dc.identifierhttps://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v18i4.44
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/5017
dc.languageen
dc.publisherMakerere University Medical School
dc.subjectHeavy metals, children urine, industrial areas, non-industrial areas, Tanzania
dc.titleLevels of heavy metals in urine samples of school children from selected industrial and non-industrial areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
dc.typeJournal Article, Peer Reviewed

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