Determination of Heavy Metals in Urine of Patients and Tissue of Corpses by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Abstract

This study determined the concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu and Zn) in urine samples of patients with kidney, liver and lung related diseases (age 15-70 years); and tissue samples (kidney, liver and lung) that were pathologically abnormal from corpses (age 21-50 years) during autopsies at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. It also determined the effects of age distribution, gender and life styles on the urine samples of patients with the aforementioned diseases. A total of 35 urine samples of the patients were analyzed out of which 15 had kidney related diseases, 10 had liver related diseases and 10 had lung related diseases. Four urine samples were used as controls. The urine samples were collected before meal and the age, sex, occupation and personal habit of patients were considered when taking samples. The samples were digested using microwave assisted digestion method and analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results showed that the concentrations of Cd (0.052-0.093 µg mL −1), Pb (0.150-0.376 µg mL −1), Mn (0.014-0.278 µg mL −1), Cu (0.738-2.475 µg mL −1) and Zn (0.476-0.975 µg mL −1) in urine samples (male and female) were higher than those of the control samples (Cd: 0.035 µg mL −1 , Pb: 0.253 µg mL −1 , Mn: 0.045 µg mL −1 , Cu: 0.040 µg mL −1 and Zn: 0.716 µg mL −1) and also higher than the standard human urine levels of metals recommended by World Health Organisation. Also, Mn had the highest concentrations of all the metals determined in kidney, liver and lung tissues analysed. The study concluded that the high concentrations of heavy metals obtained confirmed the associated health complications noticed in the patients.

Heavy Metal Accumulation and Health Risk Assessment in Moringa Oleifera from Awi Zone, Ethiopia

“…Consumption of medicinal plants with excessive accumulation of heavy metals may cause serious health problems such as disrupt the functions of vital organs, glands, kidney and liver, thereby, affecting biological function of these organs [14,15]. However, elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are non-essential and toxic even at low concentrations for humans [16].…”

“…Several works have been reported on the levels of nutrients including minerals in Moringa oleifera which differ as a function of geographical location where the plant grown, and the outcome displayed that there could be variation in the level of macro-and micro-element in the plant depending on the soil properties of the topographical location where it grows [19,20]. High concentration of heavy metals, above standard permissible limit of WHO can cause serious health problem [16]. Thus, the determination of heavy metals is important.…”

Phytoremediation Potential of Chrysopogon zizanioides for Toxic Elements in Contaminated Matrices

“…One of the techniques that can be used for the identification of heavy metals is Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), this analytical technique is widely used to determine more than 70 elements in solution and in different matrices, in quantities as low as 10-14 g with reasonable selectivity, little manipulation, and minimum sample size. It can indirectly identify anions and organic compounds [33,34]. This technique is older than ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy), and various authors have reported studies comparative with other methods cited in environmental regulations [12,28,38], some mention that it makes it possible to quantitatively determine the chemical elements that constitute a material quickly, precisely, and accurately [7,13,35].…”

“…[ 33,34] Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)…”

Separation and determination of lead in human urine and water samples based on thiol functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles packed on cartridges by micro column fast micro solid-phase extraction

“…The nephrotoxic effects of lead has been observing at high blood concentrations 1.93 -2.42 μmol L -1 (40-50 μg dL -1 ) [15,18]. The various methods was used for determination lead in different matrix samples [13,19]. The most well-known methods are; flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) [20], graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) [21], inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) [13], and inductively coupled plasmamass spectrometry (ICP-MS) [22].…”