HEAVY METALS (LEAD, CADMIUM AND ZINC) ANALYSIS IN THE URINARY SAMPLES OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE CIGARETTE SMOKERS IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA

Several heavy metals found in cigarette smoke accumulate in body tissues and fluids and are very harmful to both active and passive cigarette smokers. The aim of this study was to analyze cadmium, lead and zinc in the urine samples of active and passive cigarette smokers in South-West Nigeria. About 10 ml of freshly voided urine sample was collected into a sterile universal container from each of the 250 active cigarette smokers and 200 passive cigarette smokers that live in south-West, Nigeria. The urine specimens were processed to determine the levels of cadmium, lead and zinc metals using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. There was a significant increase in the levels of urinary cadmium, lead and zinc among active cigarette smokers when compared with passive cigarette smokers (P<0.001). Cadmium was significantly raised among male active cigarette smokers when compared with female active cigarette smokers (P = 0.03). The measured urinary zinc level of passive cigarette smokers was significantly raised in male when compared with their female counterpart in this study (P=0.003). Cigarette smoking has been seen to be one of the major sources of inhaling heavy metals which are toxic and capable of causing oxidative stress to both active and passive cigarette smokers. The accumulation of these toxic heavy metals over time, can cause DNA damage and consequently result to degenerative diseases.