Objective: The capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a new system that utilizes the principle of electrokinetic separation of molecules in eight electrolyte buffer-fi lled silica capillaries. In this study, we established the normal ranges of haemoglobin A2 (HbA2) and haemoglobin F (HbF) levels for normal individuals using this system and also the HbA2 level in β thalassaemia and haemoglobin E (HbE) individuals. Materials and Methods: 154 samples from normal individuals, 218 samples from β thalassaemia heterozygotes and 91 samples from HbE heterozygotes were subjected to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and CE analysis. Results: The normal ranges for HbA2 and HbF by CE were 2.75% (SD 0.26%) and 0.03% (SD 0.24%) respectively, which were signifi cantly lower than that of HPLC 2.88% (SD 0.25%) and 0.58% (SD 0.61%) (p <0.001). The HbA2 level for HbE heterozygotes was 3.58% (SD 0.44%), which was signifi cantly higher than normal (p <0.001) but lower than that of β-thalassaemia heterozygotes (p<0.001) and the true HbE level was 24.28% (SD 3.38%). Conclusion: The CE system provided a fully automated and high throughput system for haemoglobin analysis. We established the normal ranges for HbA2 and HbF levels by CE. We also determined the ranges for HbA2 in beta thalassaemia and HbE heterozygotes using this system.

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) in urine and inhaled dust of the municipal waste operators was assessed. Methods: Urine spot samples were collected and analysed for Cd and creatinine of 60 municipal waste operators between April to June 2013. Respirable dust was collected using personal air sampling pump GilAir-3 and GilAir-5 for 8 working hours. Cd in urine and dust were analysed using the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Perkin Elmer A Analyst 800) while urinary creatinine was measured using Reflotron® Plus creatinine. Results: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of Cd in the respirable dust (0.59 ± 50.27 μg/m3) was within the permissible exposure limit (PEL). The level of Cd in urine (0.015 ± 0.0097 μg/g Cr) was lower than the safe limit of 5 μg/g. The creatinine level (173.59 ± 50.27 mg/dl) was within the normal range (20 to 350 mg/dl). The multiple regression model shows smoking and years of smoking were the significant predictors for the Cd in the urine (R² = 0.216 F(3,56) = 5.150, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Municipal waste operators were exposed to minimal Cd exposure while handling waste and the accumulation of this metal urine was correlated with smoking habit.