Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China
ObjectiveThis study aims to characterize current whole blood levels of heavy metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) among occupational populations in Hunan Province, China, and identify exposure determinants to inform health management strategies.MethodsA cross-sect...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1635236/full |
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| author | Lina Wen Lina Wen Lezhou Zhou Xiaochao Zhu Yong Mei |
| author_facet | Lina Wen Lina Wen Lezhou Zhou Xiaochao Zhu Yong Mei |
| author_sort | Lina Wen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis study aims to characterize current whole blood levels of heavy metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) among occupational populations in Hunan Province, China, and identify exposure determinants to inform health management strategies.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,991 occupational workers. Demographic data, occupational exposure history, and lifestyle habits were collected. Whole blood samples were analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Pb and Cd levels, and atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry for Hg and As concentrations. Multiple linear regression was used to identify exposure predictors, and K-means clustering to categorize exposure patterns.ResultsElevated exceedance rates were observed for all metals, with Hg showing the highest rate (17.39%). Significantly higher blood metal levels (p < 0.05) were associated with males, age > 50 years, employment duration > 20 years, mining occupations, residence in Chang-Zhu-Tan, smoking, and drinking. Regression analyses revealed gender, age, employment duration, occupation type, and smoking as significant predictors of Pb and Cd levels (p < 0.05); gender, age, employment duration, and drinking for Hg (p < 0.05); and gender, age, employment duration, occupation type, and geographic region for As (p < 0.05). K-means clustering stratified participants into low-, medium-, and high-exposure groups, with the latter exhibiting markedly elevated metal levels (p < 0.05), including some samples exceeding occupational exposure limits.ConclusionWhole blood heavy metal levels in Hunan occupational populations are significantly influenced by gender, age, employment duration, occupation type, and geographic factors. Targeted exposure mitigation and enhanced biomonitoring are urgently needed for high-risk subgroups. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2ec7f85ab6d24d04a010974a96ff7f2f2025-07-25T06:17:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-07-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16352361635236Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, ChinaLina Wen0Lina Wen1Lezhou Zhou2Xiaochao Zhu3Yong Mei4Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, ChinaCentral Laboratory, Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Changsha, ChinaCentral Laboratory, Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Changsha, ChinaCentral Laboratory, Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases, Changsha, ChinaPublic Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, ChinaObjectiveThis study aims to characterize current whole blood levels of heavy metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) among occupational populations in Hunan Province, China, and identify exposure determinants to inform health management strategies.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,991 occupational workers. Demographic data, occupational exposure history, and lifestyle habits were collected. Whole blood samples were analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Pb and Cd levels, and atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry for Hg and As concentrations. Multiple linear regression was used to identify exposure predictors, and K-means clustering to categorize exposure patterns.ResultsElevated exceedance rates were observed for all metals, with Hg showing the highest rate (17.39%). Significantly higher blood metal levels (p < 0.05) were associated with males, age > 50 years, employment duration > 20 years, mining occupations, residence in Chang-Zhu-Tan, smoking, and drinking. Regression analyses revealed gender, age, employment duration, occupation type, and smoking as significant predictors of Pb and Cd levels (p < 0.05); gender, age, employment duration, and drinking for Hg (p < 0.05); and gender, age, employment duration, occupation type, and geographic region for As (p < 0.05). K-means clustering stratified participants into low-, medium-, and high-exposure groups, with the latter exhibiting markedly elevated metal levels (p < 0.05), including some samples exceeding occupational exposure limits.ConclusionWhole blood heavy metal levels in Hunan occupational populations are significantly influenced by gender, age, employment duration, occupation type, and geographic factors. Targeted exposure mitigation and enhanced biomonitoring are urgently needed for high-risk subgroups.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1635236/fullheavy metal exposureoccupationally exposed populationsexposure determinantsHunan Provinceinfluencing factors |
| spellingShingle | Lina Wen Lina Wen Lezhou Zhou Xiaochao Zhu Yong Mei Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China Frontiers in Public Health heavy metal exposure occupationally exposed populations exposure determinants Hunan Province influencing factors |
| title | Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China |
| title_full | Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China |
| title_short | Epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations: a cross-sectional study in Hunan Province, China |
| title_sort | epidemiological profile and determinants of whole blood heavy metal levels in occupationally exposed populations a cross sectional study in hunan province china |
| topic | heavy metal exposure occupationally exposed populations exposure determinants Hunan Province influencing factors |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1635236/full |
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