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A total of 73 blood samples (56 from smokers and 17 from nonsmokers) were collected to determine the concentrations of selected heavy metal in the whole blood of smokers and nonsmokers living in and around the city of Amman, Jordan. Analysis of heavy metals in the whole blood samples of various groups took in consideration the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The analysis of blood samples was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. This study aimed to evaluate the blood metal levels in smokers and nonsmokers and to assess the influence of smoking cigarettes on blood metal levels. The results were compared with those from a control group. The results indicated that the average concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) were 0.0313, 0.344, 2.328, 3.214, and 0.332 mg/L, respectively. Statistical analysis of results indicated that these average concentrations were significantly higher compared with the average concentrations in nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Moreover, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in smokers, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in nonsmokers, and the correlations between blood metal concentration in smokers and its concentration in nonsmokers were calculated. The standard reference material (blood serum National Institute of Standards and Technology 1598) and the quality control were used to validate the reliability of the method used for the estimation of heavy metals in blood samples. Results revealed that there was an agreement between the certified values and the measured values.

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In this work, a total of 135 personal care product samples that belong to seven different classes (Creams for face, body, and hands, Dried powder for face, Body lotion, Skin whitening creams, Sunscreens, Dead Sea black mud cosmetics, Lipsticks, and Eye shadows) were analyzed for their contents of 11 elements (Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Se, Sr, Ba and Bi). The analysis has been conducted using ICP-AEOS following combinations of acid digestion. The mean concentrations of these elements in ppm (µg g-1) were found to be in the following order: Fe (5.39×10 3) > Zn (4.92×10 3) > Mn (260.) > Ba (227) > Sr (103) > Bi (88.5) > Cu (58.6) > Cr (3.92) > Se (3.03) > Ni (2.49) > Co (0.520). These values are not expected to be toxic to humans. However, exposure over long periods might cause accumulation of the elements in the body and even at low concentration some metals could initiate allergic reactions. Among the known allergenic metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Co) Cu was detected in all the analyzed samples (100%) and Ni was detected in 92% of the samples. Of the 135 samples tested, 14.1% contained all four allergenic metals, and 14.8% contained both Co and Cr, which are known to work synergistically to cause allergy. At the above levels, these products are not expected to cause significant allergic effects.

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