title: Lead levels of Culex mosquito larvae inhabiting lead utilizing factory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine lead level primarily in Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus), and Culex gelidus (Cx. gelidus) larvae inhabiting lead consuming factories, and to putatively estimate eco-toxicological impact of effluents from the firms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Third instars larvae were sampled by standard dipping method and lead concentrations in the larvae and their respective surrounding factory aquatic environments were determined through standard atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cx. quinquefasciatus was the most abundant species followed by Cx. gelidus. The levels of lead were higher in the Cx. quinquefasciatus (1.08-47.47 µg/g), than in the wastewaters surface (0.01-0.78 µg/mL) from the factories or closer areas around factories. Other species were not reaching the criteria for lead determination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae can bio-accumulate the metal and can potentially serve as a biomarker of lead contamination, to complemente conventional techniques.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medical Technology, Rangsit University, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kitvatanachai
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Apiwathnasorn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leemingsawat
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wongwit
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Overgaard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000737:chemistry*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D007221:Industry; D007814:Larva / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D007854:Lead
keywords: Biomarker; Culex mosquito; Eco-toxicological impact; Larvae; Lead