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Introduction: Thallium (Tl) is a toxic heavy metal that exists in nature. Tl poisoning (thallotoxicosis) may occur is very rare and dangerous condition that might cause death, especially in opioid addicts. Because of its toxicity it has been used as rat poison, and due to its non-existing odor it has been considered as „poisoners poison“. Mechanism of work is by disruption of cellular mechanisms and substitution of potassium in cells. Drinking water in eastern Croatia contains high levels of elements such as arsenic, manganese and iron. However, there is lack of data about concentrations of thallium in soil and possible correlation to the population. Aim of the study: to determine concentrations of thallium in soil, drinking water and biological samples (hair, urine) in areas and among inhabitants of Vinkovci, Vukovar and Slavonski Brod. Methods: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP- MS) has been used to analyzed the concentrations of thallium in 51 soil samples from three towns (Vinkovci, Vukovar and Slavonski Brod) In order to determine potential health effect of thallium from the drinking water on population , urine and hair samples were taken from 112 examinees , all healthy volunteers that reside in area.. Results: Results of Kruskal Wallis test show existance of statistical significant differences between soil samples in Vukovar, Vinkovci (p=0, 010771) and Slavonski Brod (p=0, 000226). The rules on the safety of drinking water in Croatia do not define standard values for thallium ; however USEPA set 2 µg L-1 as the maximum contaminant level for thallium. Our results from previous research have shown that there is no danger for population in east Croatia, since the thallium concentrations were very low (1x10-4 – 6, 8 x10- 3 µg L-1).Measured mean values of Th in urine were- Vukovar 0, 161996 µg/L, Vinkovci 0, 163263 µg/L and S.Brod 0, 190780 µg/L, respectively- without statistical significance. Hair sampling result also did not show any significant differences in Kruskal Wallis test measuring – Vukovar 0, 463003 ppb, Vinkovci 0, 479246 ppb and Slavonski Brod 0, 497230 ppb. Conclusion: Since thallium values in water and soil were bellow maximum allowed, it is safe to conclude that there is no danger from potential thallium contamination for the population. |
