Evaluation of heavy metal levels in blood of cable manufacturing factory workers in Nnewi

Abstract

Introduction of Study: Heavy metals are toxic and have adverse effects on human health depending on the intensity and duration of exposure. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional study designed to assess the heavy metal levels in blood of cable manufacturing factory workers in Nnewi, Nigeria. A total of forty (40) apparently healthy individuals from the cable manufacturing factory (the exposed group) aged between 19 and 56 years and 79 control individuals (comprising of 39 control individuals from Nnewi (N) and 40 control individuals 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 participating individuals were obtained using structured questionnaire and thereafter, 10ml of venous blood sample was collected from each individual for the evaluation of heavy metal levels (Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Se) using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results: There was no significant difference in Body mass index (BMI) of factory workers compared with control subjects (P>0.05). There were significant increases in the mean levels of Ni, As and Pb and decreases in Cu, Zn and Se levels in cable manufacturing factory workers than in controls (p respectively. However, no significant statistical correlations were found between metal levels in factory workers and age as well as LOS (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study has shown a possible metal toxicity and deficiency of microelements in the subjects studied and these may impact negatively on human health. Keywords: Cable manufacturing factory workers, Factory effluents, Heavy metals, Body mass index (BMI), Age, Length of service (LOS).