Abstract
Background: Heavy metal toxicity has proved to be a major threat to human health as several health risks are associated with it. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study designed to assess the heavy metal levels in blood of metal forging factory workers in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of eighteen (18) apparently healthy subjects from the exposed group (metal forging factory) aged between 19 and 56 years and 79 control subjects (comprising of 39 control subjects from Nnewi (N) and 40 control from Elele (E) respectively) aged between 18 and 44 years were recruited for the study. The body mass index (BMI) and length of service (LOS) of the subjects were obtained using structured questionnaire and thereafter, 10ml of venous blood sample was collected from each individual for the assessment of heavy metal levels (Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Se) using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results: The result revealed that the body mass index (BMI) of the metal forging factory workers differed significantly compared with control N subjects (24.75±0.38) and E subjects (23.58±0.67) (p5.74±1.21 years. There were significant increases in the mean levels of Ni, As and Pb and decreases in Cu, Zn and Se levels in the metal forging factory workers compared with control subjects (p Conclusion: This study showed elevated levels of Ni, As and Pb and decreased levels of Cu, Zn and Se in the blood of metal forging factory workers. Keywords: Heavy metal, Metal forging factory, Body mass index (BMI), Length of Service (LOS).
Highlights
Metal forging is defined as a metal working process in which the useful shape of metal work piece is obtained in solid state by compressive forces applied through the use of dies and tools 1
Demographic Profiles The metal forging factory had the length of service (LOS) of 5.74±1.21 years
The age, weight and body mass index (BMI) of the metal forging factory workers differed significantly when compared with control N subjects (24.75±0.38) and E subjects (23.58±0.67) (p
Summary
Metal forging is defined as a metal working process in which the useful shape of metal work piece is obtained in solid state by compressive forces applied through the use of dies and tools 1. The term “heavy metal” has been used as a general term for those metals and semimetals with potential human or environmental toxicity.[3] Heavy metal toxicity has proved to be a major threat as several health risks are associated with it These metals have hardly any biological role to play in the human body but on the contrary their toxic effect causes malfunctioning of the body system.[4] Anthropogenic activities such as seen in metal forging factories contribute significantly to environmental contamination. These heavy metals bind with protein sites which are not meant for them, by displacing original metals from their natural binding sites causing malfunctioning of cells by their toxicity.[4] These heavy metals include; Cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, nickel, cobalt, arsenic, selenium, mercury and so on. Exclusion Criteria Individuals of any known kidney disease, liver disorder, alcoholics and smokers as well as those outside the age limits were excluded from the study
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