Coal mining is still one of the most tough, nasty, and dangerous jobs in the world, with more fatalities than any other. The present study assessed zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in scalp hair and blood samples of 270 coal mining field employees, working in Hyderabad, Pakistan, aged 18-55 years. The scalp hair and blood samples of age-matched healthy volunteers (n= 70) were examined for chosen elements for a comparison analysis. For understudied metals, environmental samples (soil, water, and coal) from coal mining fields and nonindustrial areas were investigated. The Zn levels in the scalp hair and blood samples of coal mining male exposed workers were found to be lower, in the range of {88.9- 118; 100- 133 µg/g} and {3.32- 4.41; 3.33- 6.04 mg/l)}, respectively than the referent subjects {224-237; 209-221} µg/g and {6.82-7.82; 6.60-7.42 mg/l}, respectively. Whilst, the Cd concentrations in the scalp hair and blood samples different five zones of indoor and out-door coal mining field exposed workers were found to be higher, in the range of {10.1- 16.9; 9.65- 16.9} and {8.89- 12.65; 8.96- 11.7} µg/l, respectively than the biological samples of two age groups (18-35) and (36- 55) years referent subjects {3.45-4.45; 4.02-5.32} µg/g and {3.25-3.72; 3.82-4.10 µg/l}, respectively. Serum, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood count, and creatinine clearance counts were significantly lower in mining filed workers than in referents (p0.001), whereas erythrocyte sedimentation rate and N-acetyl- beta-glucosaminidase levels were significantly higher in workers than in referents (p0.001).The Zn concentration in water and soil samples of mining field were found to be within the WHO recommended values, whilst Zn concentration in coal samples of mining field was in between 15.5- 20.6 µg/g. Whilst, Cd levels in water and soil samples of mining field were found above the WHO recommended values, whilst Cd content in coal samples of mining field was in between 0.52- 0.75 µg/g. The findings indicate that immediate action is required to improve ventilation and hygiene measures within factories, mines, and other work environments.
Hassan Imran Afridi, Qutubuddin Solangi, Tasneem Gul Kazi, Farah Naz Talpur, Jameel Ahmed Baig, Ghulam Qadir Chanihoon, Almas Rahoojo