Plasma concentration of cadmium, lead and chromium in smokers and nonsmokers in Tripoli, Libya: A comparative study

Abstract

Tobacco products are known to contain some heavy metals that pose threats to smokers. In order to assess the role of smoking habits in increasing plasma concentration of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb), a comparative study between male smokers and nonsmokers was carried out in Tripoli, Libya. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was used to determine the concentration of Cd, Cr and Pb in plasma blood of 25 male nonsmokers representing control group, and of 75 male smokers divided equally into three subgroups, which were: cigarette smokers group, water pipe group and snuff inhalers group. According to 2sample test, the means (or the medians) of Cd, Cr and Pb plasma concentrations were significantly higher in smokers groups compared to the nonsmokers group, and as the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test revealed, the means of Cd, Cr and Pb plasma concentrations were significantly higher in water pipe group compared to the other two smokers' groups. In conclusion, smoking increased the plasma concentration of Cd, Cr and Pb, and smoking water pipe is considered to elevate the plasma concentration of those three metals more than the other two smoking habits, thus it is more dangerous on smokers' live.