Paper Session III-D - Physiological and Genetic Changes to E. Coli Induced by Exposure to lead - a Two Year Study

It’s been proven that concentrations of lead severely harm people - primarily children. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not continuous exposure to lead nitrate concentrations of 100 parts per billion (ppb), 200 ppb, or 300 ppb will produce mutation in Escherichia coli DNA over many generations. The hypothesis formulated was that, over time, continuous exposure to lead nitrate concentrations will produce a harmful mutation in Escherichia coli and reduce the amount of square centimeters of bacterial growth. Lead is a bluish - gray element found underground that can be obtained by mining the ore. Pure lead is very soft and bendible, and it is popular because it can easily be bent and shaped (Kendler, 1993.) More lead is used worldwide than is mined : six-and-a-half million short tons of lead is used worldwide, but only three-and-a-half million short tons is actually recovered (Kimbrough et al., 1994). The remaining three million short tons is obtained by recycling old lead and reusing it