Essential and non-essential trace elements among working populations in Ghana
Essential and non-essential trace elements among working populations in Ghana
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017
Authors
Dartey, Emmanuel
Balazs, Berlinge
Stephan, Weinbruch
Yngvar, Thomassen
Jon Ø., Odland
Jan, Brox
Vincent K., Nartey
Francis A., Yeboah
Dag G., Ellingsen
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology
Abstract
Lead battery repair workers (LBRW) and electronic repair workers (ERW) may be exposed to in organic components during work. This study aimed at determining essential and non-essential trace elements in
male LBRW, ERW, referents and a group of female petty traders (FPT) in Kumasi (Ghana), taking into account
iron status and inflammation.
Methods: Altogether 64 LBRW, 64 ERW, 65 referents and 26 FPT were investigated in this cross-sectional study.
Urine, whole blood and serum were collected for determination of trace elements. C-reactive protein and ferritin
were determined in serum.
Results: The LBRW had higher blood concentrations of manganese (B-Mn) and lead (B-Pb) and antimony in urine
(U-Sb), and lower concentrations of cobalt in blood (B-Co). Being ERW was associated with higher concentra tions of blood cadmium (B-Cd), urinary tin (U-Sn) and serum chromium (S-Cr). Concentrations of selenium (B Se), Co and mercury (B-Hg) in whole blood and iodine in urine (U-I) were relatively high. Marginal iron status
appeared to be a determinant for elevated concentrations of Co in particular, but also Mn and Cd in blood.
Systemic inflammation was associated with the concentrations of copper and Se. The concentrations of Hg in
whole blood were highly associated with Se and arsenic (As) in whole blood, indicating fish consumption as a
common source of intake of these elements. However, Hg in whole blood was only slightly associated with Se in
serum.
Conclusions: The ERW had elevated concentrations of B-Cd, S-Cr, and U-Sn, while B-Mn, B-Pb, and U-Sb con centrations were higher among the LBRW. Iron status and inflammation had substantial impact on some element
concentration. This population had high concentrations of B-Se, B-Hg and B-Co and U-I.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Dartey, E., Berlinger, B., Weinbruch, S., Thomassen, Y., Odland, J. Ø., Brox, J., ... & Ellingsen, D. G. (2017). Essential and non-essential trace elements among working populations in Ghana. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 44, 279-287.