Zinc and Selenium Levels in Smokers Exposed to Lead and the Development Implications

Abstract

This work determined the zinc and selenium levels in smokers exposed to lead in Coal Camp, Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria. One hundred exposed subjects were used for the study. Their mean age was 32.03±1.01. The control subjects consisted of 100 apparently healthy non-smoker age-matched individuals, all males. The participants were educated on the benefits of the study and their informed consent obtained before commencement of the study. Blood lead, zinc and selenium levels were determined in both exposed and control subjects. Results showed that there was a significant increase in blood lead level of smokers (22.00µg/dL±1.70, P< 0.05 and decrease in zinc 103.13µg/dL ±1.79, P< 0.5 ) and selenium 61.69µg/dL ±1.01 P< 0.05) when compared with the controls, lead (10.68µg/dL ±29, P< 0.05), zinc (130.68µg/dL ±1.24, P< 0.05) and selenium (99.13µg/dL ±1.09 P< 0.05). The above findings suggest that smokers in Coal Camp, Enugu have reduced serum zinc and  selenium, as well as increased blood lead. This might predispose them to cancer, hypertension and
cardiac disease. The implications of the findings for national development are included. Since there is no health benefit in smoking, we suggest that smokers should help themselves, their families and the nation by modifying their habit.