Health-related reference intervals for heavy metals in non-exposed young adults

Abstract

Objectives: Heavy metals (HMs) concentrations vary with living environments, diet, and personal habits. This study aims to establish health-related reference intervals (RIs) for selected HMs in healthy, non-occupationally exposed young adults living in an urban environment.

Methods: The Uni4Me study enrolled 154 healthy university volunteers (median age: 23 years) to assess the concentrations of seven HMs (lead, nickel, cadmium, zinc, chromium, cobalt, and mercury) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-EOS). CLSI guidelines were followed to estimate the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles as RIs.

Results: Most metals were detected at low concentrations. Zinc showed consistent physiological levels in all participants. Mercury and chromium were the most frequently detected, indicating potential environmental or dietary exposure.

Conclusions: This study defines baseline values for HMs in an urban, healthy, young adult population. These results may support future biomonitoring efforts and public health initiatives targeting subclinical exposure in non-occupationally exposed populations.

Keywords: biomonitoring; heavy metals; reference values.