DETERMINATION OF URINARY ZINC, CHROMIUM, AND COPPER IN STEEL PRODUCTION WORKERS

The aim of our investigation was to determine the concentrations of Cu , Zn, and Cr in urine samples under routine clinical laboratory condit ions. To asses the reliability of these methods, critical factors such as detection limit(s), calibration range(s), cost, accuracy, and prec ision were studied. Our method was employed for the quantitative deter mination of zinc, chromium, and copper in urine samples from steel pro duction and quality control (QC) workers and healthy unexposed control s. After pretreatment with acids, the samples were digested via a micr owave oven. Zinc was determined by flame absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS), whereas chromium and copper were determined by a graphite-furn ace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). Our results indicate that urinary zinc, chromium, and copper levels of the exposed workers are significantly higher than those of the controls. The possibility t hat these metals are involved in the etiology of diseases is discussed and recommendations are made to improve workplace ventilation and ind ustrial hygiene practices.