Assessment of heavy metal levels in blood of metal forging factory workers in nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria

Background: Heavy metal toxicity has proved to be a major threat to human health as several health risks are associated with it. Materials and Methods : This is a cross sectional study designed to assess the heavy metal levels in blood of metal forging factory workers in Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of eighteen (18) apparently healthy subjects from the exposed group (metal forging factory) aged between 19 and 56 years and 79 control subjects (comprising of 39 control subjects from Nnewi (N) and 40 control from Elele (E) respectively) aged between 18 and 44 years were recruited for the study. The body mass index (BMI) and length of service (LOS) of the subjects were obtained using structured questionnaire and thereafter, 10ml of venous blood sample was collected from each individual for the assessment of heavy metal levels (Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Se) using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results: The result revealed that the body mass index (BMI) of the metal forging factory workers differed significantly compared with control N subjects (24.75±0.38) and E subjects (23.58±0.67) (p<0.05). Factory workers had a length of service (LOS) of 5.74±1.21 years. There were significant increases in the mean levels of Ni, As and Pb and decreases in Cu, Zn and Se levels in the metal forging factory workers compared with control subjects (p<0.05) respectively. Metal levels differed significantly with both age and length of service (LOS) in exposed worker compared with control subjects (p<0.05). Also, Zn level was significantly correlated with LOS of metal forging factory workers (r=0.562; p=0.015). Conclusion: This study showed elevated levels of Ni, As and Pb and decreased levels of Cu, Zn and Se in the blood of metal forging factory workers.