Investigation of Creative Cognition among Miners at Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex

Abstract

Background: Miners are frequently exposed to toxic metals in the environment. Excessive intake of heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, and copper, is neurotoxic and promotes neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the creativity among personnel of the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, the second-largest copper deposit worldwide. Methods: The research population included personnel working at the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in Rafsanjan, southeast Iran. The convenience sampling method was used to identify 204 participants based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Convergent and divergent thinking were assessed using the remote associates test (RAT) and the alternative uses test (AUT), respectively. Results: The total mean scores of RAT and AUT were 3.05 ± 2.05 and 10.91 ± 6.63, respectively. The mean scores of both AUT and RAT in miners with more than 10 years of work experience were lower than others. Moreover, AUT scores were lower in miners who used opium and also in those who were less educated (with no college or university education). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that cognitive abilities might be more affected in copper miners. However, more future studies using two groups of miners and non-miners are needed to conduct a more accurate interpretation.