Determination of Blood Concentrations of Lead, Mercury and Cadmium in Blood Donors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; [نام مند و متانایز ی مرورتیینت خونی سربیوه و ادمیوم در اهدانندگان خون] Publisher



Pourmokhtar M ; Teimourpour A ; Banazadeh S
Source: Journal of Iranian Blood Transfusion Published:2025

Abstract

Background and Objectives Exposure to Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium is a serious threat to individuals. Blood Transfusion may serve as a hidden potential source of exposure to these toxic metals. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine blood concentrations of Lead, Mercury and cademium in blood donors. Materials and Methods A Systematic Review was conducted by searching, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases until the end of July 2023, using the keywords Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Pb, Hg, Cd, and “blood donor.” After screening and selecting relevant articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were extracted. To integrate the results of the primary studies and calculate the final mean, a Random-Effects Model was used, with the mean and standard deviation serving as the effect size. Q and I2 statistics assessed the heterogeneity among the results of primary studies and Meta-regression analysis examined trend over time. The results were summarized in tables and funnel plots, and statistical calculations were performed using R software and meta package. Results: The global analysis revealed mean blood concentrations of Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium in blood donors as 4.85 (μg/dL), 0.154 (μg/dL), and 0.0595 (μg/dL), respectively. Meta regression identified study time as an important and influential factor in explaining the Lead level in blood donors worldwide (p= 0.0018). In such a way that between 1985 and 2023, the mean blood concentration of Lead in blood donors decreased by an average of 2.27 (μg/dL) annually. However, no significant trend was observed for Cadmium levels in blood donors over time. Conclusions This systematic review revealed that the mean blood concentration of Lead in blood donors exceeded than the WHO’s permissible limit set. However, deciding on the necessity of screening blood donors for Lead still requires further primary studies, particularly among donors from high-risk areas or specific occupations. In contrast, such screening did not appear to be necessary for Cadmium and Mercury. © 2025 Journal of Iranian Blood Transfusion, Published by Blood Transfusion Research Center.