A Heavy Metal and Trace Element Biomonitoring Study in a Young Cohort (Aged 18–24) in Istanbul, Turkey

This study aimed to determine the exposure levels of young individuals living in Istanbul, a region in Turkey with a high population density and significant environmental pollution, by measuring the levels of heavy metals and trace elements in blood, serum, and urine. A total of 95 young people aged 18–24 participated in the study. Toxic heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cd, and Cr) and physiological trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se, Mo, Mn, and Co) were measured in participants’ whole blood, serum, and urine samples using the ICP-MS technique. Participants were stratified by gender, as differences in body surface area may affect the absorption and metabolism of trace elements, and by smoking status, since smoking is a recognized source of heavy metal exposure. Gender differences revealed that blood lead levels were higher in males (p < 0.05), while manganese levels were higher in females (p < 0.05). When serum samples were analyzed, males had significantly higher zinc (p < 0.05) and selenium (p < 0.05) levels compared to females, whereas females had significantly higher levels of copper (p < 0.05) and cobalt (p < 0.05). Similar differences for copper (p < 0.05) and cobalt (p < 0.05) were observed in urine samples, with higher levels found in females. Blood cadmium levels were found to be significantly higher in smokers (p < 0.05). This biomonitoring study is one of the rare studies conducted in this region to assess heavy metal exposure among young adults.