ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Pharyngeal Tonsil as New Biomarker
of Pollution on Example of Barium
Ewa Nogaj1, Jerzy Kwapuliński1, Hanna Misiołek2, Grażyna Lisowska3,
Beata Rostkowska-Nadolska4, Stanisław Bień5, Paweł Nogaj6
1Department of Toxicology, Silesian University of Medicine, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
2Department of Clinical Anesthesiology, Silesian University of Medicine, 3-go Maja 13/15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
3Department of Otolaryngology, Silesian University of Medicine, Skłodowskiej-Curie 10 M, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
4Departament of Otolaryngology of Head and Neck Surgery, Wrocław Medical University,
Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland
5Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Holycross Cancer Center,
Artwińskiego 3, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
6Department of Instrumental Analysis, Medical University of Silesia,
Narcyzów 1, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
2Department of Clinical Anesthesiology, Silesian University of Medicine, 3-go Maja 13/15, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
3Department of Otolaryngology, Silesian University of Medicine, Skłodowskiej-Curie 10 M, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
4Departament of Otolaryngology of Head and Neck Surgery, Wrocław Medical University,
Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland
5Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Holycross Cancer Center,
Artwińskiego 3, 25-734 Kielce, Poland
6Department of Instrumental Analysis, Medical University of Silesia,
Narcyzów 1, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2011;20(1):167–172
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The mainly purpose of our study was to determine Ba in pharyngeal tonsils of children living in the
influence of dust emission from power stations in the following regions in southern Poland: Jura Krakowsko-
Częstochowska, Upper Silesia, and Kraków. The concept of investigation was based on the fact of high levels
of Ba in suspended dust emitted by power stations (about 800 μg/g). Moreover, these children are exposed
to secondary emissions of Ba from soil dust (500-1,000 μg/g) during outdoor recreation. Ba concentrations in
pharyngeal tonsils may be involved in indicating the pollution of some plants.
Ba concentrations in pharyngeal tonsils were determined using the ACP-AES method. The characteristic feature of pharyngeal tonsils is their ability and high specificity of Ba accumulation from inhaled air.
The average level of Ba concentration in tonsils was similar in all groups of children (0.03-0.09 μg/g) with the exception of boys from Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska – 0.22 μg/g. The differences of Ba content in pharyngeal tonsils measured as the maximum concentration range depends on sex and place of residence. Moreover, the interaction between Ba with other pollution elements was described.
Ba concentrations in pharyngeal tonsils were determined using the ACP-AES method. The characteristic feature of pharyngeal tonsils is their ability and high specificity of Ba accumulation from inhaled air.
The average level of Ba concentration in tonsils was similar in all groups of children (0.03-0.09 μg/g) with the exception of boys from Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska – 0.22 μg/g. The differences of Ba content in pharyngeal tonsils measured as the maximum concentration range depends on sex and place of residence. Moreover, the interaction between Ba with other pollution elements was described.
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