A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HEAVY METALS AND HEALTH, NILE RIVER ISLAND, NEAR ASSIUT, EGYPT SYED E. HASAN, DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY, NADIA SHARARA, OSMAN EL NADY and GAMAL BOGHDADY, ASSIUT UNIVERSITY, EGYPT Abstract The Nile is the longest river in the world, flowing over a distance of 6,825 km and draining an area of 2.96 x 10 6 sq km that extends from the Equator to beyond the Tropic of Cancer. The upper reaches of the River lie in the East African Rift System that has created some of the largest tectonic lakes in the region. Geologic materials occurring in Egypt represent a long period of earth’s history: from the Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks to the Holocene sands of the desert. These rock formations are enriched in Al, As, Be, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, U, V, Zr and other elements. While concentration of selected elements has resulted in formation of valuable economic mineral deposits, the geochemical cycle also makes them bio-available in the food chain that seem to be causing chronic health problems to people living in the area. The relationship between geology and health has not been previously studied and the existing literature, though very rich in petrology, mineralogy, structure and tectonics; stratigraphy and paleontology; is devoid of information on this critical aspect of human health and the environment. Nonetheless, medical records maintained at the Health Department of the Assiut Governorate and the Assiut University Hospital have indicated above- normal incidence of kidney disease among the population. Site visit to villages on Al-Wasta islands, near the town of Assiut, was made in March, It included interview with residents, and random sampling of water, plants, and soil. ICP-MS analyses of soil, water, fertilizer, and vegetation samples have revealed high concentration of a suite of heavy metals. These heavy metals are known to be toxic to humans and we suspect that the abnormal incidence of nephrological disorders and other health problems might be related to presence of As, Be, Cd, Mo, and Pb in soil and the organic fertilizer that is used to grow wheat and vegetables. A B C A) North Al-Wasta island on the Nile River B) Village home on Al-Wasta Island C) Nile River flowing past the town of Assiut

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN HEAVY METALS AND HEALTH, NILE RIVER ISLANDS, NEAR ASSIUT, EGYPT Materials and Method A variety of media samples were collected from Al-Wasta island, comprising surface and groundwater, wheat, and other vegetation, organic fertilizer, sediment from Nile River and effluent from a phosphate fertilizer manufacturing factory. Water samples were prepared for ICPMS analysis by diluting approximately 20g of sample, 1mL of concentrated nitric acid and 250µL of internal standard to 100g total mass using 18 M- ohm water. Soil and vegetation samples (<0.1g each) were digested with 2 mL of HNO 3 and 0.25 mL 30% H 2 O 2 in Teflon vessels at 90˚C for 18 h. The resulting solution was then diluted to 100g total mass using 18M-ohm water after adding 250µL of internal standard solution. Analyses were performed using a Varian UltraMass 600 ICPMS in the laboratory of the Department of Geosciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City. A total of 33 samples were analyzed. Result of ICPMS Analysis of Wheat Samples Part of wheat plant Concentration, ppb Toxic Metals Other Metals AlBeCdCoCrCuFeMgMnNiPbVZnZrCaKNa Grains 302, , x x , , x x 10 6 Ear with grains 402, , x x ,7571,5651,0391, x x 10 6 Leaves 1.4 x , x x x ,6463,7375, x x 10 6 Root with soil , , x x x ,6257,82387,11137,02942, x x x 10 6 MCL (s) (s)300 (s)-50 (s) (a) MCL: Max. allowed in drinking water; (s): Secondary standards, non-enforceable, for cosmetic/aesthetic effects; (a): for individuals on restricted Na diet [Source: EPA, Rept. # 822-R , 2004] Collecting groundwater sample from a tube well, Al-Wasta island Collecting water sample from a drainage ditch, Al-Wasta island ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks are due to the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC) and Assiut University, Egypt, for travel support to the first author. The authors are grateful to Dr. James Murowchick, Dept. of Geosciences, UMKC for his help with ICPMS analysis.