BIOMONITORING OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO HEAVY METALS IN METALLURGICAL FACTORIES IN KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN

The main purpose of this work is to assess the occupational exposure to some heavy metals in two metallurgical factories in Khartoum State, Sudan using bioindicators. Urine and scalp hair samples were collected from workers in a mint factory and a foundry factory as well as from residents far from emission of metallurgical processes. Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were quantified in hair by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry while electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for urine analysis for the same metals. Hair samples recorded much higher concentrations of Cr, Fe and Zn for workers in both factories than residents in the control area, besides higher concentrations of Ni and Cu for workers in the mint factory than workers in the foundry factory and residents in the control area. This result indicates serious occupational exposure. In addition, urine samples recorded much higher concentrations of Fe in workers in the mint factory than workers in the foundry factory and the referents. Higher Ni and Cu contents in urine from workers in the both factories than the referents were recorded as well. A result that emphasizes an occupational exposure.