Author/Authors :
Najari, Fares Department of Forensic Medicine- School of Medicine- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Alizadeh Ghamsari, Anahita Medical Toxicology Research Center-Imam Reza Educational Research and Treatment Center-Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Vahabzadeh, Maryam Medical Toxicology Research Center-Imam Reza Educational Research and Treatment Center-Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad , Abolbagae, Mojtaba Department of Forensic Medicine- School of Medicine- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Baradaran Kayal, Ideh Legal Medicine Organization of Alborz, Karaj , Najar, Dorsa Department of Forensic Medicine- School of Medicine- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Because opium is mixed with lead to increase its weight, the prevalence of lead
poisoning is high among opium consumers. Hence, measurement of serum lead level in these
people is important for the prevention or early treatment of lead poisoning. To evaluate the
blood lead level in opium consumers.
Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, a total of 214 opium consumers with
lead poisoning referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, in 2016, were evaluated.
Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Covanta Energy, GB) was used to measure the lead
level of the blood samples.
Results: The mean (SD) age of the participants was 43.11(18.14) year, also their average (SD)
blood lead level was 139.5(48.5) μg/dL. No relationship was found between the blood lead
level and age in the participants (P=0.11). The number of male participants was significantly
higher than females in this study (92.5% vs. 7.5%). Also about 129(60.3%) participants
consumed opium orally and 85(39.7%) ones used opium by inhalation.
Conclusion: The blood lead level is higher than the acceptable limit in opium addicts, and the
risk of lead poisoning should be considered among them, especially in oral consumers.
