Determination of Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As) and Chromium (Cr) in Urine and Serum of Residents of Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria

The concentration lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr) and Arsenic (As) in blood serum and urine of male and female donors of different age groups from Gashua were determined. Sample of blood serum and urine of male and female donors of similar age groups were also collected from Damaturu to serve as control. All samples were collected under routine clinical laboratory conditions, pre-treated with acids, digested and heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic techniques (ASS). The results indicate that urinary lead, chromium and arsenic levels of the donors from Gashua were significantly higher than those of the control. The concentrations of the metals in blood and urine samples of the male donors were higher than the levels found in samples from the female donors. The high level of these heavy metals in the blood and urine samples might be connected to exposure to the metals through food, air or water, but these need further investigation. The study suggests an immediate assessment of environmental factors responsible for high levels of these metals as they might be connected with the high rates of kidney disease in Gashua.