Status cemaran logam timbal (Pb) pada mahasiswa fakultas peternakan Institut Pertanian Bogor

Abstract

Lead (Pb) has been intensively used in industry. Application of Pb creates environmental and health problems. Present experiment aimed to clarify the exposure of Pb as pollutant on the student of Faculty of Animal Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University and its relation to their activities and diets. Hair samples of 5-10 g each were obtained from 25 male and 25 female students. Concentration of Pb, Ca, Zn and Mg in hair was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Questionnaire was offered to the students, to evaluate their activities and diets. Concentration of Pb in hair samples obtained from the male and female students was not different. However, Ca, Zn and Mg concentration in the hair of male students was higher (P<O.Ol) than that of female students. Lead concer~tration in the hair could be associated with the exposure level of the students to the polluted air. Protein intake in male and female students was 33.82 glday and 34.94 glday, respectively. It was concluded that the students were exposured to Pb polluted-air. The activities and diets of the students had no effect on the level of Pb in their hair. Key words: lead, hair, activity, diet, protein.