Exposure to Heavy Metals in Residents Living Near a Copper Refinery Plant

Abstract

PP-29-154 Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate potential health effects associated with exposure to the heavy metals in residents living near the refinery plant. Methods: The study subjects included 572 residents living near the refinery plant and 413 controls. We collected information about demographic characteristics, dietary habits, occupational history, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, duration of residence, and medical history. We conducted medical examination for all subjects, and measured the concentrations of heavy metals in blood (Pb, Cd, and Hg), serum (Zn, Ni, and Cu), and urine (Cd, As, Hg) to evaluate individual exposure to heavy metals. As renal tubular damage marker, urinary β2-microglobulin, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity, and total protein were measured. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 subject groups regarding physical examination, blood pressure, blood chemistry, and bone mineral density. Levels of blood Cd and Pb, urinary Cd and As, and serum Cu and Ni were significantly higher in residents living near the refinery plant than in control group. Levels of blood Cd and Pb, urinay Cd, and serum Zn, Cu, and Ni were negatively correlated with the distance between the refinery plant and the place of residence. The levels of blood Cd and Pb, urinary Cd, and serum Zn were positively correlated with the duration of residence in the refinery area. The urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity and β2-microglobulin level were significantly higher in residents who lived within 1-km radius of the refinery plant than those who did not, and those were strongly correlated with blood and urinary cadmium levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that residents living near the copper refinery plant have been exposed to high levels of heavy metals, and thus might be associated with a renal tubular damage. This study was supported by National Institute of Environmental Research, South Korea.