Subscribe Now Subscribe Today
Science Alert
 
FOLLOW US:     Facebook     Twitter
Blue
   
Curve Top
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences
  Year: 2007 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 20 | Page No.: 3730-3733
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2007.3730.3733
Selected Heavy Metals in Blood of Male Nigerian Smokers
O.O. Babalola , I.M. Adekunle , R.E. Okonji , E.E. Ejim-Eze and O. Terebo

Abstract:
Lead, cadmium and zinc levels were determined in the blood of 47 all male smokers (age range, 19-56 years). The subjects were classified into 4 subgroups based on the number of years of smoking, namely: 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 years, >16 years. Thirty all male non-smokers serves as the control. The weight, height and body mass indexes of all subjects were noted in addition to other information obtained through structured questionnaire. Those that were likely to be exposed to any of these metals either occupationally or through other life style habits were excluded from the study. The mean values of blood lead (BPb), blood cadmium (BCd) and blood zinc (BZn) in male smokers (n = 47) were 43.26±4.28, 98.21±6.39 and 104.84±3.66 μg dL-1, respectively while the corresponding mean values for these parameters in the non smokers (n = 30) were 32.44±3.02, 76.51±4.59 and 90.38±2.55 μg dL-1, respectively. The smokers have statistically significant higher BPb, BCd and BZn than the non-smokers (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The results appear to confirm the presence of these metals as component of cigarette and agree with similar findings from literature. Consequently, it is probable that high level of these metals in blood of smokers is from tobacco smoking. Additionally it appears that the number of years of smoking has nothing to do with the level of these metals in smokers’ blood.
 [Fulltext PDF]   [Fulltext HTML]   [XML: Abstract + References]   [References]   [View Citation]  [Report Citation]
How to cite this article:

O.O. Babalola , I.M. Adekunle , R.E. Okonji , E.E. Ejim-Eze and O. Terebo , 2007. Selected Heavy Metals in Blood of Male Nigerian Smokers. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 10: 3730-3733.

DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2007.3730.3733

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2007.3730.3733

 
COMMENT ON THIS PAPER
.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Curve Bottom