Assessment of Blood Lead Levels Among Members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces: A Statistical Study Based on Age, Smoking Habits, and Geographic Origin
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64354/jvk05169Keywords:
Blood Lead Levels (BLL); Lead Exposure; Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF); Smoking and Lead Toxicity; Occupational,Environmental Health; IraqAbstract
This study investigated blood lead levels (BLL) among 30 members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), with particular focus on the influence of smoking habits, age, and geographic origin. Blood samples were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, and statistical analyses were applied to evaluate group differences and associations. The findings revealed that all participants, both smokers and non-smokers, exhibited BLLs significantly above the international reference threshold of 5 ppb, indicating widespread exposure to environmental or occupational lead sources. The mean concentration across the sample was 26.15 ppb. However, no statistically significant differences in BLL were observed when comparing smokers to non-smokers, different age groups, or governorates, suggesting that lead exposure is pervasive and not limited to specific subgroups. ROC curve analysis and odds ratio calculations further confirmed the absence of a strong association between smoking and elevated lead levels, although smokers tended to show slightly higher mean concentrations. In conclusion, the study highlights alarmingly elevated BLLs among PMF personnel, far exceeding safe international standards. While subgroup comparisons did not yield significant differences, the uniformly high exposure across all participants underscores the urgent need for targeted occupational health interventions, stricter environmental regulations, and continuous biomonitoring of military personnel in Iraq.
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