Accumulation of Trace Metals in Artisans in Nigeria; a pilot case study of Electronic Repair Technicians, Auto Mechanics and Painters

Abstract

The accumulation of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Chromium (Cr) in artisan electronic repair technicians, auto-mechanics and painters from Kaduna and Bauchi Metropolis Nigeria, was investigated. Hair and Nail samples of the artisans were tested for the selected metals using AAS. All artisans had Pb, Cd and Cr levels in both hair and nail samples within a range of 31.61 – 228.00, 0.09 -270.00 and 7.95-317.00 µg/g respectively. All three categories of artisans had the metal levels greater than that of the control subjects. The results indicate the bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd and Cr in the three categories of artisans. Electronic repair technicians (0.09 – 50.39 µg/g) had the lowest bioaccumulation levels of the metals than auto-mechanics and painters indicating a greater exposure to Pb, Cd and Cr by auto-mechanics and painters (0.00 – 317.00 µg/g) probably due to increased tendency of exposure via both ingestion and inhalation.