EFFECT OF SMOKING ON LEAD CONCENTRATION IN SMOKERS AND EX-SMOKERS
Pepic Esad*, Lepara Orhan, Musanovic Jasmin, Kurtagic-Pepic Emina, Lujinovi? Almira, Metovic Azra, Dzubur Alen and Nukovic Emina
ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemical ingredients. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and others are among them. The WHO published a lead content of 2.5-12.2 μg per cigarette, of which 2-6% was inhaled by smoking. Lead toxicity is primarily related to the interaction of lead with several enzymes containing sulfhydryl groups, resulting in mercaptides, and the enzymes themselves lose their function. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the concentrations of lead in the blood and urine of smokers and ex-smokers in relation to non-smokers. Methods: The research included 108 respondents divided into three groups. The first group of respondents consists of regular smokers (n = 51), the second group of ex-smokers (n = 38) and the third group of respondents who have never consumed tobacco (n = 17). Determination of the level of lead was performed by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry with an electrothermal atomizer. Result: A significant positive correlation was found between the number of pack-year and the concentration of lead in the blood (Rho = 0.339; p <0.05). Lead levels in the blood of ex-smokers decrease in relation to age groups (p = 0.021). Conclusion: Smoking is still a significant factor that contributes to the concentration of lead in the human body.
Keywords: Lead concentration, Smoking, Ex-smokers, Smokers.
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