Heavy Metals in Blood Serum of Smokers and Non-smoking Controls

Background: The analysis of heavy metals in the blood serum can serve as a reliable indicator for establishing the association between cigarette smoking and the presence of heavy metals. Methods: In this study, performed in Al-Najaf during 2023, concentrations of three heavy metals - cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) – were investigated in two groups: cigarette smokers, and non-smokers (the control group) by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Participants in this experiment were categorized into five age groups: 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61- 70. Results: The results showed that smokers displayed significantly higher blood serum concentrations of all heavy metals (Cd, Cr, and Pb) compared to non-smokers Furthermore, it is found that the mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb for smokers were 0.873±0.619 ppm, 1.957±0.883 ppm, and 0.043±0.021 ppm, respectively. For non-smokers, they were 0.197±0.165 ppm, 0.159±0.105 ppm, and 0.031±0.016 ppm, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. Overall, the mean heavy metal levels displayed a descending order in the present study, i.e., Cd > Cr > Pb. Conclusion: The concentrations of Cd and Cr in all samples of the present study were higher than the biological limit according to ACGIH. Therefore, Cd and Cr were the most critical metals accumulated in the blood of cigarette smokers. Additionally, the findings have indicated that the analysis of blood serum samples can serve as a reliable indicator for establishing the association between cigarette smoking and the presence of heavy metals.