Use of air things radon detector in liquid samples (serum and urine).

This study involved the assessment of 222Rn concentrations in liquid samples (namely serum and urine) obtained from individuals who were smokers and non-smokers across five distinct age groups in the Najaf Governorate of Iraq. The measurements were conducted using a portable digital Air Things device commonly employed for detecting radon gas in residential environments. This device was placed in a container that is placed in liquid samples, which makes it work to capture the existing radon. The mean value of radon concentrations in serum and urine samples for smokers was 5.64 ± 2.80 Bq/m3 and 3.56 ± 2.31 Bq/m3, respectively. While, the mean value of radon concentrations in serum and urine samples for non-smokers was 2.32 ± 0.67 Bq/m3 and 1.61 ± 1.00 Bq/m3, respectively. By comparing the radon concentrations for serum and urine samples with age and smoking groups, the value of P-Value (p < 0.01) was increased significantly statistically. Also, it is found that a positive and good correlation for radon concentrations between serum and urine. Although the levels of radon were found to be under the globally accepted thresholds, the results of 222Rn in all samples of serum and urine in smokers were higher than in non-smokers. Thus, it may be concluded that cigarette smoking is used as a biomarker of the presence of radon gas.

Comparison of Heavy Metals in Urine Samples of Smoker and Non-smoker Persons.

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) in the two groups of cigarette smokers and non-smokers in five age range groups were measured. Heavy metal concentrations were collected in participants' urine samples and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results showed that the concentrations of these metals in the urine of smokers were higher than in non-smoker subjects. The mean concentration of Cd, Cr, and Pb for smokers were 1.188 ± 0.931, 1.929 ± 0.940, and 0.069 ± 0.023, respectively, while the mean concentration of Cd, Cr, and Pb for non-smokers were 0.151 ± 0.165, 0.203 ± 0.218, and 0.037 ± 0.030, respectively. The results revealed statistically significant differences when comparing the samples of smokers to the control group in all heavy metals in the present study. Also, the results revealed statistically significant differences in Cd, Cr, and Pb when comparing the samples of smokers to age groups. The trend of metals in urine samples in two groups (smokers and non-smokers) is as follows: Cd > Cr > Pb. The concentration of Cd, Cr, and Pb in all samples of the present study was higher than the biological limit, according to ACGIH. Therefore, Cd, Cr, and Pb were the most critical metals accumulated in the urine of cigarette smokers.

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Biscuit Samples Available in Iraqi Markets.

Baby foods contain these toxic heavy metals which occur naturally or from pollution in the environment. The purpose of this research is to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in the biscuit samples that are commonly used in Iraq as food babies. The concentrations of three metals viz zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) are measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (Buck Scientific/USA, 210 VGA). Health risk parameters such as Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotients (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR), are determined. The average values of the concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in these samples of biscuits are 0.584 ± 0.099 mg/kg, 0.066 ± 0.008 mg/kg, and 0.205 ± 0.011 mg/kg, respectively, while the average values of HI and CR × 10-6 for all samples are 0.768 ± 0.040 and 1.94 ± 0.25, respectively. On the basis of comparing these elements, the study finds that the average value of Zn is dominating with the highest concentration, followed by Cd, and Pb. This is relied on the statistical examination that revealed a weak correlation and no significance (p > 0.05) in the amounts of these heavy metals in all samples. The concentrations of Cd, in seven samples, are relatively higher than their permissible limits according to FAO/WHO (0.2 mg/kg). Conversely, the concentrations of Zn and Pb are lower than their permissible limits which was 9.4 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. The values of health risk parameters for Zn, Pb, and Cd for all samples do not surpass their permissible intake limits according to FAO/WHO, Therefore, it is concluded that the overall estimated healthy risk, due to the heavy metals, is safe since it is within the permissible limits; thus, there are no concerns for a baby who consume biscuit consistently daily.

Assessment of radiological risk associated with thoron gas at primary schools in Al-Najaf city, Iraq.

Children spend considerable time at home and school, so school is likely to be a second source of natural radionuclide exposure after home. This study evaluates the radiological risk associated with thoron gas in the air within the building of one hundred primary schools in Al-Najaf City, Iraq, using a CR-39 detector. The results of the average value of thoron concentration detector, the annual effective dose (AED), Excessive Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) × 10-3, and Lung Cancer Case (LCC) × 10-9 measured in the building of the schools were 7.47 ± 2.85 Bq/m3, 0.03 ± 0.01 mSv/y, 0.11 ± 0.04, and 0.54 ± 0.20, respectively. All the results of indoor thoron were below the global average limit. The results of the radiological survey due to thoron concentrations for studied primary schools suggest that the radionuclides and their radiological hazard indexes in all studied schools in AL Najaf city, Iraq, do not impose a health hazard.

Health Risk Study of Heavy Metals from Consumption of Drugs (Solid and Liquid) Samples Derived from Medicinal Plants in Iraq.

Heavy metals are one of the carcinogenic factors harmful to the safety of human health. In plant-based medications, heavy metals can be found. In February 2022, 28 specimens of medicinal drugs (solid and liquid) were collected from Texas drugstores to investigate heavy metals like zinc, iron, and lead utilizing a Shimadzu AA-7000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The current study used a US EPA model to calculate non-cancer and cancer risk parameters for heavy metals in all medicinal drug specimens. Zinc, iron, and lead levels (mg/kg) in solid samples were 1.95-51.43, 29.09-2055.92, and ND-26.68, respectively, while they were 0.043-4.267, 0.100-5.25, and ND-1.434, respectively, in liquid specimens. The average value of total non-cancer risk (TNCR or HII) and total cancer risk (TCCR) of heavy metals intake in solid specimens was 4.54E - 03 ± 1.1E - 03 and 2.11E - 06 ± 6.0E - 07, while in liquid specimens were 1.98E - 04 ± 4.1E - 05 and 9.44E - 09 ± 2.3E - 09, respectively. Compared to liquid specimens, solid specimens have higher concentrations of heavy metals. The zinc, iron, and lead concentrations in the liquid specimens were lower than the WHO-acceptable standards of 50, 20, and 10 mg/kg, respectively. On the other hand, few solid specimen results are more than acceptable. However, all the specimens' TNCR and TCCR results were within the US EPA's globally recommended limits. Finally, the results of the heavy metals show no health hazards associated with using the researched medications.

Potential Health Risks of Zn, Fe, and Pb in Medical Skin Creams and Cosmetic Products Derived from Plants in Iraq.

Medical skin creams (SC) and cosmetic products (CP) specially derived from plants have natural chemicals as ingredients which are a major source of heavy metal releases. Therefore, the presence of harmful heavy metals in these materials is a matter of concern. This study has been carried out to assess the concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb) in skin creams and cosmetic products that are available in Iraqi pharmacies using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Thirty-three samples from different Iraqi pharmacies of beauty creams, including 13 samples of skin creams and ten samples of cosmetic products. Health risk parameters such as chronic daily intake (CDI), total non-cancer risk (H.I.), and total cumulative cancer risk (TCCR) have been calculated. Based on the results, it is found that the average value of Zn, Fe, and Pb concentrations for SC samples in unit mg/kg were 65.33 ± 14.56, 100.52 ± 21.05, and 2.62 ± 0.64, respectively. At the same time, the average value of Zn, Fe, and Pb concentrations for CP samples in unit mg/kg were 2.30 ± 0.48, 24.18 ± 6.87, and 4.79 ± 1.18, respectively. The results of health risk exposure for SC samples were higher than those for CP samples. But, the values of health risk parameters were within acceptable limits according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Consequently, there is no potential health risk for using medical skin creams and cosmetic products in the present study by Iraqi people.