A Study of the Bioavailability and Impact of Habits on the Occupational Exposure of Electronic Repairers to Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) in Kaduna Metropolis-Nigeria

Abstract

The bioavailability of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) in blood and urine samples of electronic repairers in Kaduna-Nigeria was assessed using Fast Sequential Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean blood concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in the subjects were 29.33±4.80, 7.78±10.57 and 24.78±21.77µg/dL, respectively. The mean urine concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr were 24.18±2.98, 6.81±10.05 and 14.78±4.20µg/dL respectively. Positive Pearson correlation coefficients were observed between Pb/Cd, Pb/Cr and Cd/Cr in all samples and they indicate the metals are likely from same pollution source. The mean concentrations of the metals in all samples were higher than the WHO, ILO and ACGIH standards, implying the repairers are occupationally exposed and are subject to serious health concerns. Social habits like smoking were found to significantly affect the concentrations of these metals. The level of education, use of safety devices, period of exposure, the nature of electronics and the age of the electronic repairers were also found to remarkably affect the concentrations of the metals. However, the sources of food eaten at work were found to have no significant effects on the levels of the metals present.