چکیده
Background: Heavy metals are the major sources of globally distributed pollutants in our environment and account for substantial portion of many disorders in the body. This study investigated the levels of some heavy metals; mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) as well as assessed the kidney and liver function tests in industrial workers who have been occupationally exposed.
Method: Six millimeters of blood specimen were collected into non-anticoagulant bottles from a total number of 111 participants (industrial workers and control subjects). The participants were grouped into Groups 1, 2, 3 and control. The heavy metals (Hg, Pd, As and Cd) were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, conjugated bilirubin and total bilirubin were determined using spectrophotometric methods.
Results: The results showed significant increases (p<0.05) in the levels of the heavy metals in the industrial workers compared with that of control. The mean levels of Pb in Groups 1,2, and 3 were 15.81 ±6.00, 17.53 ±5.20, 19.40± 4.40 respectively compared with the control (4.20± 2.40). These levels of Pb are higher than the levels set by the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry and Center for Disease Control (10 µg/dl).
Conclusion: It was concluded that chronic exposure to these heavy metals may predispose the industrial workers to serious adverse health effects.
Keywords: Heavy metals, lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium
Résumé
Contexte: Les métaux lourds sont les principales sources de polluants distribués mondialement dans notre
environnement et représentent une partie substantielle de nombreux troubles dans le corps. Cette étude a
étudié les niveaux de certains métaux lourds; Le mercure (Hg), le plomb (Pb), le cadmium (Cd) et
l’arsenic (As) ainsi que l’évaluation des tests de la fonction rénale et hépatique chez les travailleurs
industriels qui ont été exposés au travail.
Méthode: Six millimètres d’échantillons de sang ont été recueillis dans des bouteilles non anticoagulantes d’un nombre total de 111 participants (travailleurs industriels et sujets témoins). Les participants ont été regroupés en groupe 1, 2, 3 et contrôle. Les métaux lourds (Hg, Pd, As et Cd) ont été analysés en utilisant un spectrophotomètre à absorption atomique. L’urée sérique, la créatinine, la phosphatase alcaline, l’aspartate amino-transférase, l’alanine amino-transférase, la bilirubine conjuguée et la bilirubine totale ont été déterminées à l’aide des méthodes spectrophotométries.
Résultats: Les résultats ont montré des augmentations significatives (p <0,05) dans les niveaux des métaux lourds chez les travailleurs industriels par rapport à ceux du contrôle. Les niveaux moyens de Pb dans les groupes 1,2 et 3 étaient 15,81 ± 6,00, 17,53 ± 5,20, 19,40 ± 4,40 respectivement par rapport au témoin (4,20 ± 2,40). Ces niveaux de Pb sont supérieurs aux niveaux fixés par l’Agence pour les Substances Toxiques et le Registre des Maladies et le Centre de Contrôle des Maladies (10 μg/dl).
Conclusion: On a conclu que l’exposition chronique à ces métaux lourds pourrait prédisposer les travailleurs industriels à des effets néfastes graves sur la santé.
Mots-clés: Métaux lourds, plomb, mercure, arsenic, cadmium
Correspondence: Dr. A.O. Oluboyo, Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Email: oluboyoao@abuad.edu.ng
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