Harsiddha G Sadhu

Publications of Harsiddha G Sadhu

• Poisoning of workers working in small lead-based units.

  Authors: Harsiddha G Sadhu, B K Amin, D J Parikh, N G Sathawara, Umesh Mishra, B K Virani, B C Lakkad, V K Shivgotra, Shruti Patel

  Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine. 12/2008; 12(3):139-41.

  No data are available with the labor departments among the workers of small-scale lead-based units with regard to lead poisoning. One hundred and ninety-five workers were investigated for leadNo data are available with the labor departments among the workers of small-scale lead-based units with regard to lead poisoning. One hundred and ninety-five workers were investigated for lead exposure and three were found exceeding the limit of 80 mg/dL, which required a treatment for lead poisoning. To assess the exposure and health risk in workers working in small lead-based units. Random sampling is selected from the cross-sectional medical study. Medical examination cum biochemical/hematological investigations along with blood lead estimation were carried out in these workers. Epi-Info and SPSS 16.0 were used for statistical analysis. Workers' blood lead levels were brought down from 114.4, 110.0 and 120.6 mg/dL with treatment of D-penicillamine to 40 mg/dL. It may be concluded that lead poisoning is a preventable public health problem that particularly affects the industrial workers in small lead-based units.

• Residues of dioxin in egg samples collected from west zone of India.

  Authors: Rekha Kashyap, Vijay Bhatnagar, Harsiddha G Sadhu, Bhavana Arora, Nisha Jhamb, Rupal Karanjkar

  Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology. 06/2008; 80(5):428-30.

  The residues of the congeners of dioxin and furan have been identified in the egg samples collected from the western zone of the India. The samples were collected from the chicken grown in sitesThe residues of the congeners of dioxin and furan have been identified in the egg samples collected from the western zone of the India. The samples were collected from the chicken grown in sites where Municipal Corporation incinerates the municipal and hazardous wastes. All the samples showed the presence of the residues of PCDDs/Fs. The mean TEQ of dioxin and furan were 7.10 pg/g and 0.39 pg/g respectively.

• Effects of industrial pollution on respiratory morbidity among female residents of India.

  Authors: Shruti Patel, Mohan Rao Ramaiah Nellore, Harsiddha G Sadhu, Pradeep K Kulkarni, Bhupendra D Patel, Dinesh J Parikh

  Archives of environmental & occupational health. 01/2008; 63(2):87-92.

  The authors evaluated the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function test results (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], and ratio of FEV1 to FVC [FEV1%]) ofThe authors evaluated the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function test results (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], and ratio of FEV1 to FVC [FEV1%]) of female residents of the critically polluted industrial estate of Vapi, Gujarat (state), India, and compared these with control information derived from a village 20 km away. The authors categorized the studied residents as living in Vapi, in town, or in villages proximal to the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation; living 2 to 3 km away from Vapi; living 3 to 5 km away from Vapi; and being in the control group. The authors found no significant association between respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among Vapi residents. However, the obstructive type of abnormality was most predominant and significantly different among Vapi residents. The restrictive type was highly prevalent among residents living 2 to 3 km away from Vapi compared with the control group. These results suggest significant respiratory morbidity among residents that was associated with age and distance from the development corporation.

• Repeated episodes of endosulfan poisoning.

  Authors: Aruna Dewan, Vijay K Bhatnagar, Murli L Mathur, Tapas Chakma, Rekha Kashyap, Harsiddha G Sadhu, Sukesh N Sinha, Habibullah N Saiyed

  Journal of toxicology. Clinical toxicology. 02/2004; 42(4):363-9.

  INTRODUCTION: A number of families in a rural area of Jabalpur District (Madhya Pradesh), India, were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of thisINTRODUCTION: A number of families in a rural area of Jabalpur District (Madhya Pradesh), India, were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of this investigation was to determine the cause of the illness. METHODS: The investigation included a house-to-house survey, interviews of affected families, discussions with treating physicians, and examination of hospital records. Endosulfan poisoning was suspected as many villagers were using empty pesticide containers for food storage. To confirm this, our team collected blood and food samples, which were transported to the laboratory and analyzed with GC-ECD. RESULTS: Thirty-six persons of all age groups had illness of varying severity over a period of three weeks. In the first week, due to superstitions and lack of treatment, three children died. In the second week, symptomatic treatment of affected persons in a district hospital led to recovery but recurrence of convulsive episodes occurred after the return home. In the third week, 10 people were again hospitalized in a teaching hospital. Investigations carried out in this hospital ruled out infective etiology but no facilities were available for chemical analysis. All persons responded to symptomatic treatment. The blood and food samples analyzed by our team showed presence of endosulfan, which was confirmed by GCMS. One of the food items (Laddu) prepared from wheat flour was found to contain 676 ppm of alpha-endosulfan. CONCLUSIONS: Contamination of wheat grains or flour with endosulfan and its consumption over a period of time was the most likely cause of repeated episodes of convulsions, but the exact reason for this contamination could not be determined. This report highlights the unsafe disposal of pesticide containers by illiterate farm workers, superstitions leading to delay in treatment, and susceptibility of children to endosulfan.

• Poisoning of Workers Working in Small Lead-based Units

  Authors: Harsiddha G Sadhu, B.K. Amin, D J Parikh, N G Sathawara, Umesh Mishra, BK. Virani, B.C. Lakkad, V K Shivgotra, Shruti Patel

  Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ISSN: 0973-2284) Vol 12 Num 3.

  Background: No data are available with the labor departments among the workers of small-scale lead-based units with regard to lead poisoning. One hundred and ninety-five workers were investigated forBackground: No data are available with the labor departments among the workers of small-scale lead-based units with regard to lead poisoning. One hundred and ninety-five workers were investigated for lead exposure and three were found exceeding the limit of 80 mg/dL, which required a treatment for lead poisoning. Aim: To assess the exposure and health risk in workers working in small lead-based units. Setting and Design: Random sampling is selected from the cross-sectional medical study. Methods and Materials: Medical examination cum biochemical/hematological investigations along with blood lead estimation were carried out in these workers. Statistical Analysis: Epi-Info and SPSS 16.0 were used for statistical analysis. Results and Conclusion: Workers′ blood lead levels were brought down from 114.4, 110.0 and 120.6 mg/dL with treatment of D-penicillamine to 40 mg/dL. It may be concluded that lead poisoning is a preventable public health problem that particularly affects the industrial workers in small lead-based units.