Occupational Exposure of Workers in Hook-Ah Lounges and Tobacco Cafes to Metal El-Ements in Tobacco Smoke; [مواجهه شغلی کارگران سفره خانه ها و کافه های سیگار باشاخصهای فلزی دود تنباکو] Publisher



Vakilabadi DR ; Masjedi MR ; Yazdi NB ; Arfaeinia H
Source: Iranian South Medical Journal Published:2025

Abstract

Background: Hookah and cigarette smoke contain various pollutants, including toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium, which can pose a threat to the health of exposed individuals. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to assess occupational exposure by quantifying levels of metal biomarkers— including arsenic, lead, and cadmium—in urine samples collected from people working in hookah lounges and cigarette cafes in Bushehr. For this, urine samples were collected from a group of workers in smoking cafes, and the levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). For comparative purposes, samples from workers in non-smoking cafes and some people from the general population of Bushehr city were also gathered and analyzed. Results: The findings of this study showed that the average concentration of arsenic in the exposure group, control group 1 and control group 2 is equal to 0.89, 0.36 and 0.19 μg/L, respectively, and the average concentration of lead in these three groups is equal to with 6.52, 2.68 and 2.38 μg/L and cadmium values in these three groups were equal to 1.79, 0.41 and 0.35 μg/L, respectively. As can be seen, there was a significant difference between the concentration of arsenic, lead and cadmium in the urine of people working in cafes and control groups (Pvalue<0.05). Statistical analyzes showed that the type of tobacco consumed was a determining factor for the concentration of arsenic, lead and cadmium in the urine of people working in these cafes. Conclusion: According to the current findings, it can be claimed that this occupational group is heavily exposed to high levels of key pollutants associated with tobacco smoke (arsenic, lead, and cadmium). © 2025, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.