ASSOCIATION OF SELECTED TRACE METALS (COPPER AND TIN) WITH CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D

ABSTRACT

Occupational exposure of bronze casters to excess trace metals is a significant concern due to the materials and processes involved in bronze casting. The relationship between these trace metals and human health has been a subject of ongoing scientific exploration. In particular, the association between trace metals and essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D has garnered significant interest within the scientific community. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association of selected trace metals (copper and tin) with calcium and vitamin D levels in Benin bronze casters. A total of ninety (90) consenting participants were recruited for this study; They included foundry workers (bronze casters), randomly selected individuals around the foundry site (environmental) and apparently healthy unexposed individuals (control). Trace metals (copper and tin), calcium and vitamin D levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), colorimetric method and ELISA respectively. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, version 25. The findings revealed that there was no significant difference observed in calcium levels between the three groups (p>0.05). Vitamin D levels was significantly lower in bronze casters (22.58±5.75) when compared to environmental (36.61±25.66) and control group (39.14±31.95) (p<0.05). Copper was significantly higher in bronze casters (123.53±23.20) when compared to environmental (118.99±22.44) and control group (85.38±17.98) (p<0.05). Tin was significantly higher in bronze casters (7.77±2.26) when compared to environmental group (4.92±0.83) and the control group (1.36±0.47) (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant reduction in tin levels between the environmental and control group (p<0.05). There was a weak negative correlation between vitamin D and tin (r=-0.289, p=0.006). Copper showed a positive correlation with vitamin D levels (r=0.349, p=0.001). Tin levels also displayed a negative correlation with copper levels in bronze casters (r=-0.503, p=0.001). In conclusion, bronze casters exhibited significantly lower levels of vitamin D, significantly higher levels of copper, and elevated levels of tin when compared to both the environmental and control groups. These findings underscore the potential health implications of occupational exposure to copper and tin and their implications on calcium and vitamin D levels.