OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HEAVY METAL TOXICITY AND IT’ S IMPLICATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANAEMIA IN INDIVIDUALS IN LOCAL METAL INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA

Background/Aim: The adverse health effects associated with exposure to toxic trace metals in the environment is a matter of serious concern globally. They cause damage to the central nervous, renal, cardiovascular, reproductive and haematological systems and consequently reducing the quality of life of the affected individuals. In Nigeria, especially in Ibadan, Oyo State, there are few reports on the toxic effect of blood trace metals and ferritin levels in local metal industrial workers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate this.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven apparently healthy male between 20 and 50 years were recruited from iron bending, welding and fitting local industries in Ibadan. The control group comprising 36 non-exposed male participants (matched for age) were recruited from the members of staff/students of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Ten millilitres of venous blood was collected from each participant. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se) and ferritin iron were determined.

Results: The exposed group when compared to the control group revealed significant increases in Pb (0.016±0.003 vs. 0.013±0.003 µg/L) and Mn (31.92±7.79 Vs 24.89±5.47 µg/dL) and a significant decrease in Ferritin iron (96.38±8.22 vs. 104.13±9.76 µg/L). However, a slight non-significant increase was found in Zn levels (69.76±6.56 vs. 67.04±6.40 µg/dL) while Se and Cd showed no significant difference in exposed group compared to non-exposed group (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The workers from iron bending, welding and fitting local industries in Ibadan are exposed to the toxic effects of lead, manganese and cadmium. Therefore, periodic bio-monitoring of whole blood heavy metal concentrations in these workers is recommended.