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ABSTRACT
The process of bronze casting often leads to prolonged exposure to air pollutants, heavy metals, and potentially hazardous working conditions. Understanding the levels of antioxidant vitamins among the Benin bronze casters is vital because their exposure to environmental pollutants and potential occupational hazards may increase their oxidative stress levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of antioxidant vitamins; A, C and E 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). Vitamins A, C and E levels were determined using spectrophotometry. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. The findings revealed that vitamin A levels was significantly lower in bronze casters (36.06±9.15) when compared to environmental (58.57±41.05) and control groups (62.61±51.12) (p<0.05). Vitamin C levels was significantly lower in bronze casters (0.53±0.14) when compared to environmental group (1.02±0.53) and the control group (1.55±0.37) (p<0.05). Also, there was a significant reduction in vitamin C levels in the environmental group when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Vitamin E levels was significantly lower in bronze casters (5.14±1.92) and environmental (6.28±3.32) group when compared to control group (11.49±3.75) (p<0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between vitamin A and vitamin C (r=-0.589, p=0.001). Vitamin C showed a strong positive correlation with vitamin E levels (r=0.562, p=0.001). In conclusion, the lower vitamin levels suggest an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress, which may be exacerbated by occupational hazards and environmental factors, such as exposure to metal toxins and pollutants.
