TOXICITY OF COPPER, LEAD, IRON AND ZINC IN OCCUPATIONAL PHOTOCOPIER OPERATORS AND REPAIRERS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN COMMUNITY- A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Photocopying serves as a good source of employment to many Nigerian youths and its importance cannot be overemphasized. Photocopiers are used on a regular basis without any protective measure. Photocopiers emit toner dust which contains certain toxic metals and volatile organic compounds. These toxic metals include Copper, Lead, Iron and Zinc. This study was conducted to ascertain complexicity of Copper, Lead, Iron and Zinc accumulates in the body of occupational users of photocopiers and their possible health hazards via blood analysis. Seventy (70) subjects including test and controls (non users of photocopiers) of 18 years and above were recruited for the study. Plasma was analysed for Copper, Lead, Iron and Zinc using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS).The mean± standard error of mean of Copper, Lead and Iron in professional operators of photocopiers (91.50 ± 3.66, 0.00 ± 0.00, and 100.2 ± 3.18 respectively) were surprisingly significantly lower when compared with their controls (non-users) (161.48 ± 8.78, 0.01± 0.00 and 140.22 ± 8.78 respectively). The mean ± standard error of zinc was slightly higher in occupational users of photocopiers (98.45 ± 1.59) when compared with controls (98.11 ± 4.39) though this was not significant.Copper deficiency has been known to cause several disorders of the central nervous system including ataxia, tremor, clonic seizure, hypomyelination or demyelination and reduced levels of sphingolipides while low plasma iron is seen in iron deficiency anaemia. Plasma Copper, Lead and Iron were significantly lower in operators of photocopiers who come in contact with toner powders than in their control while plasma Zinc was slightly higher