# A Heavy Metal and Trace Element Biomonitoring Study in a Young Cohort (Aged 18–24) in Istanbul, Turkey

## TL;DR

This study measured heavy metal and trace element levels in young adults in Istanbul, finding gender and smoking-related differences in exposure.

## Contribution

The study provides rare biomonitoring data on heavy metal exposure in young adults in a densely populated and polluted region.

## Key findings

- Males had higher blood lead levels, while females had higher manganese levels.
- Smokers had significantly higher blood cadmium levels compared to non-smokers.
- Gender differences were observed in zinc, selenium, copper, and cobalt levels in serum and urine.

## Abstract

This study aimed to determine the exposure levels of young individuals living in Istanbul, a region in Turkey with a high population density and significant environmental pollution, by measuring the levels of heavy metals and trace elements in blood, serum, and urine. A total of 95 young people aged 18–24 participated in the study. Toxic heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, and Cr) and physiological trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Mn, and Co) were measured in participants’ whole blood, serum, and urine samples using the ICP-MS technique. Participants were stratified by gender, as differences in body surface area may affect the absorption and metabolism of trace elements, and by smoking status, since smoking is a recognized source of heavy metal exposure. Gender differences revealed that blood lead levels were higher in males (p < 0.05), while manganese levels were higher in females (p < 0.05). When serum samples were analyzed, males had significantly higher zinc (p < 0.05) and selenium (p < 0.05) levels compared to females, whereas females had significantly higher levels of copper (p < 0.05) and cobalt (p < 0.05). Similar differences for copper (p < 0.05) and cobalt (p < 0.05) were observed in urine samples, with higher levels found in females. Blood cadmium levels were found to be significantly higher in smokers (p < 0.05). This biomonitoring study is one of the rare studies conducted in this region to assess heavy metal exposure among young adults.