Shakeel Ahmed, Naheed Ikram, Ume Ammara Shan, Asma Ayyub.
Heavy metal exposure; jewelers and automobile workers..
Professional Med J Jan ;14(3):398-402.

There are various metals that concern us because of occupational of residential exposure. Majority of these are heavy metals. Small amount of these elements are common in environment and diet that are actually necessary for good health but large amount of any of them may cause acute or chronic toxicity. Historical association and provocative findings of blood Cu and Cd levels at short and long term Cu and Cd exposure shows Cu & Cd pollution. A study was carried out to determine the blood metals levels. In this study 44 samples were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometer A 1800 Hitachi Japan. Whole blood cadmium levels found in jewelers, automobile workers were 398±183pg/100ml, 768±180pg/100ml respectively. Whole blood copper levels in jewelers, automobile workers were 710±139mcg/100ml, 746±89mcg/100ml. The control subjects were not occupationally exposed and healthy appearances have Cu & Cd levels 641±45mcg/100ml, 353±190mcg/100ml respectively. Copper levels were significantly raised (P < 0.05) in automobile workers compared with control. On the other hand Cd levels although raised but not significant. Results show that our control subjects have raised Cu and Cd levels when compared with WHO criteria 160-270mcg/100ml and 160-220mcg/100ml respectively.

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