Interactions Between Toxic Metals and Serum Micronutrient Level in Auto-mechanics in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria: a Pilot study.

Auto-mechanics who often work without safety measures are vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic metals like lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). These toxic metals exert their deleterious effect by interacting with the micronutrients at their primary site of action. This study aimed to investigate the effects of toxic metal exposure on serum micronutrient levels of auto-mechanics in Nigeria. This case-control study involves 60 participants aged 18 to 45 years. The control group consists of 30 healthy male staff of University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. The test group consists of 30 male auto-mechanics recruited from their workshops in the Bodija and Olodo areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Blood lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), plasma iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) were quantified by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) method. Results show that systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and plasma levels of Pb and Cd were significantly higher in the auto-mechanic group when compared with control, while there were significantly lower levels of micronutrients: Fe, Zn, Mn, and Se when compared with control (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of Ca and Mg were not statistically different in the two groups. Also, there was a significant negative relationship between Cd and Zn (r =  - 0.38, p = 0.001), a weak positive relationship (r = 0.46, p = 0.001) between Pb and SBP, and a weak non-significant negative relationship between Pb and Se (r = 0.4, p = 0.11) in the auto-mechanics. The chronic exposure to Pb and Cd in auto-mechanics is associated with elevated blood pressure and reduced micronutrients levels which can impact negatively on their health.