Evaluation of Lead and Copper content in hair of workers from oil product distribution companies in Iraq

Abstract

Serious health consequences can occur not only from acute exposure to environmental toxicants, but also from chronic exposures to minute quantities. Petroleum substances are widely distributed and used in huge amount, mainly as fuels. A total number of 45 males aged between 20 and 45 years participated in this study. The participants were divided in to two groups: The first group of 25 subjects worked at least 8hours/day in different oil product distribution companies in both Basrah and Thiqar Governorates-Iraq. The second group (control group) of 20 healthy individuals with age and weight matched with the test group and lived far away from hazardous exposure. Heavy metals levels in hair were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (version 6.0). Higher levels of lead and cupper were observed in the hair of subjects working in different oil product distribution companies compared to control group. Heavy metals evaluation in hair samples could be used as a good bioindicator of heavy metal exposure in occupational and environmental surveys for various populations for screening for heavy metals toxicity. In the present study high levels of heavy metals were observed in workers at different oil product distribution companies in Iraq.

The Concentration of the Potentially Toxic Metals in Human Hair, Nails, Urine, Blood, and Air, and Their Impact on Human Health: A Review

“…Zheng et al, (2021) reported that in different regions of China, the concentration of arsenic in male hair was significantly higher than in female hair. Jaccob (2020), during their research work, found that the concentration of lead and copper in the hairs of workers working in oil stations and refineries was significantly higher than those of other individuals. The concentration of Ni in the hairs of the workers on the production line of a printing press was significantly higher than that of the office workers.…”

Lead Concentration in Human Hair in the Administrative Center of the Altai Republic

“…Основные пути поступления Pb в организм -ингаляционный и алиментарный, а в виде металлорганических соединений -и через неповрежденную кожу [5,12]. К источникам загрязнения окружающей среды соединениями Pb относятся плавильная, металлургическая, машиностроительная промышленность [20,28]. Как и для индустриальных областей, для регионов с низкой промышленной нагрузкой универсальными источниками загрязнения окружающей среды являются жидкое и твердое ископаемое топливо, присутствие Pb в предметах быта также не утрачивает своей актуальности [23].…”

“…Известно, что нарушения механизмов гомеостаза могут возникать в результате не только острого воздействия тяжёлых металлов, но и хронического их поступления в организм в допороговых количествах [20]. Свинцовое отравление в большей степени (99 %) обусловлено поступлением элемента в организм в составе пищи и воды, риск накопления Pb в результате вдыхания с твердыми частицами (ТЧ) составляет только 1 % от общего возможного его поступления [27].…”

Evaluation of the Smoking Factor in the Blood of Workers in Diyala State Company and its Relationship to Heavy Metals (Lead, Nickel and Copper)

“…Industrial dust may contain components of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, copper, nickel, zinc, manganese, etc. depending on the type of industrial pollutants emitted from factories that cause dust, Pollution with heavy metals such as lead, copper and nickel is worrying and dangerous because, metals have ability to accumulate in living organisms and environment which make metals considered as a toxic nature [2]. Most workers in industrial facilities do not adhere to occupational safety precautions by wearing glasses, masks and other safety measures, and thus are directing exposed to industrial emissions such as: gases and particles of different sizes through breathing or contact [3].…”

“…of the smoking factor on the levels of lead, nickel and copper in the blood of workers 2-20 years in the occupation:Table(2) showed that there were significant differences in the concentrations of lead, nickel and copper at the probability level (p ≤ 0.05) between the smoking workers and the control group in Diyala State Company, while the level of lead in the blood of smokers (2-20 years in service) was (1.1867. ppb), compared to the control group of non-smokers (2-20 years in service) where the lead level was (0.2375ppb).…”