Association of Life Style and Sociodemographic Parameters with Plasma Heavy Metals in Apparently Healthy Adult in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Lifestyle and sociodemographic parameters have been recognised to play important roles in human exposure to heavy metals and metal toxicity in both environmental and occupational setting. Aim: To determine the association of life style factors and sociodemographic parameters with plasma heavy metals; arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) in apparently healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Randomly selected subjects (n=301) from 130 political wards in the 13 Local Government Area of the State, were studied. Structured questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic data while anthropometric parameters were collected using standard techniques. Metal concentrations were determined in blood plasma using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. One-way Analysis of Variance (One-way ANOVA) was use to analyse the data and p ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The observed mean levels of heavy metals were: As (0.21±0.02), Cd (0.37±0.04), Cu (156.49±2.16), Fe (132.66±2.14), Pb (1.13±0.12), Ni (0.06±001), Se (0.14±0.01) and Zn (94.32±1.10) μg/dL. Plasma levels of heavy metals were affected by body mass index (BMI), age, educational level and occupation. However, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the levels of heavy metals between males and females, smokers and non-smokers and alcohol consumers and non-consumers. Plasma As and Cd were significantly negatively associated with age and BMI. Conclusion: It is concluded that indicators of socioeconomic status have effect plasma levels of heavy metals with levels of toxic metals raised while the levels of essential trace elements were low. Dietary diversification in addition to prevention of exposure is advocated.