Blood levels of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca and P in tobacco workers

Blood levels of cadmium and lead as well as iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus were determined in 87 workers of the tobacco industry and 35 healthy and unexposed control persons. The concentrations of cadmium and lead were measured by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS), whereas copper, zinc and magnesium were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). Iron, calcium and phosphorus were determined using colorimetric methods. Blood cadmium levels were significantly higher in workers than in controls, median concentrations being 1.10 mu g/L and 0.50 mu g/L, respectively, (p=0.011). When the groups were further evaluated according to smoking habits, a significant difference was observed between the nonsmokers of the workers and the control group (p=0.05). Blood lead levels showed no significant difference between workers and controls. Serum calcium and zinc concentrations were significantly higher in the workers (p=0.002 and p=0.015, respectively), while no significant differences were observed with respect to concentrations of the other non-toxic elements.