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Background <p>Workers in metal foundries are exposed to several heavy metals, including lead, copper, aluminum, arsenic, and zinc. The association between occupational heavy metal exposure and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear due to inconsistent findings in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to multiple heavy metals and MetS among metal foundry workers and identify related risk factors.</p> Methods <p>Cross-sectional analytical study involved 62 metal foundry workers and 62 age and sex matched non-occupationally exposed individuals. Where history taking, full clinical examination, in addition to laboratory tests involving serum heavy metals of aluminum, copper, arsenic, blood lead and zinc, fasting blood glucose, HDL, and triglycerides were done.</p> Results <p>MetS prevalence was 56.5% in foundry workers and 19.4% in controls (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Mean levels of heavy metals, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with controls. Workers with elevated levels of ≥ 3 studied heavy metals were 48 (77.4%), significantly higher than controls (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Age, duration of employment, elevated blood lead, and serum arsenic showed statistically significant differences among exposed workers with MetS. Blood lead (15.6 ± 4.5, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.023), serum arsenic (6.5 ± 3.1, p 0.012), and having ≥ 3 elevated heavy metals were significantly associated with MetS. In adjusted analysis, lead levels were associated with higher odds of MetS (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04–1.40, p 0.014). Duration of employment and number of elevated heavy metals were also significant predictors. Each additional year of employment increased MetS risk by 10%, each unit increase in lead level increased risk by 23%, and each additional elevated heavy metal doubled the risk. Mean serum arsenic was significantly higher among hypertensive compared with non-hypertensive ones.</p> Conclusions <p>Occupational exposure to heavy metals mixture (lead, arsenic, zinc, aluminum, and copper) in metal foundry workers significantly associated with developing MetS.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable. The authors have verified written consent from every subject participating in the study prior to conducting the study.</p>

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Associations of occupational exposure to multiple heavy metals and metabolic syndrome among metal foundry workers: a cross‑sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月11日

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  • Marwa Mohammed Fouad,
  • Nehal Mohammad Helmy,
  • Omar Ahmed Ashoush,
  • Ahmed Abdelghani,
  • Dalia Abdelfatah,
  • Aisha Safwat Saif Eldeen,
  • Hend A. ElSheimy

摘要

Background

Workers in metal foundries are exposed to several heavy metals, including lead, copper, aluminum, arsenic, and zinc. The association between occupational heavy metal exposure and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear due to inconsistent findings in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to multiple heavy metals and MetS among metal foundry workers and identify related risk factors.

Methods

Cross-sectional analytical study involved 62 metal foundry workers and 62 age and sex matched non-occupationally exposed individuals. Where history taking, full clinical examination, in addition to laboratory tests involving serum heavy metals of aluminum, copper, arsenic, blood lead and zinc, fasting blood glucose, HDL, and triglycerides were done.

Results

MetS prevalence was 56.5% in foundry workers and 19.4% in controls (p < 0.001). Mean levels of heavy metals, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with controls. Workers with elevated levels of ≥ 3 studied heavy metals were 48 (77.4%), significantly higher than controls (p < 0.001). Age, duration of employment, elevated blood lead, and serum arsenic showed statistically significant differences among exposed workers with MetS. Blood lead (15.6 ± 4.5, p < 0.023), serum arsenic (6.5 ± 3.1, p 0.012), and having ≥ 3 elevated heavy metals were significantly associated with MetS. In adjusted analysis, lead levels were associated with higher odds of MetS (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04–1.40, p 0.014). Duration of employment and number of elevated heavy metals were also significant predictors. Each additional year of employment increased MetS risk by 10%, each unit increase in lead level increased risk by 23%, and each additional elevated heavy metal doubled the risk. Mean serum arsenic was significantly higher among hypertensive compared with non-hypertensive ones.

Conclusions

Occupational exposure to heavy metals mixture (lead, arsenic, zinc, aluminum, and copper) in metal foundry workers significantly associated with developing MetS.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable. The authors have verified written consent from every subject participating in the study prior to conducting the study.