Objective To evaluate the levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) in urine among adult residents in the region along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province and analyze its influencing factors.
Methods From 2014 to 2015, 2 397 subjects aged 18 and older years were recruited by multi-stage cluster random sampling method from three areas of A, B, C along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province. The general information was collected by questionnaire, urine samples were collected at the same time. The levels of Cu, Zn and Fe in urine samples were analyzed by inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and creatinine correction. The distribution of Cu, Zn and Fe in urine for different genders, ages, areas and life habits were then analyzed.
Results The geometric mean (GM) of urine Cu, Zn, Fe among adult residents in the region along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province were 12.8 μg/L, 430.9 μg/L, 11.6 μg/L, the GM of creatinine correction were 14.9 μg/g, 500.2 μg/g, 13.4 μg/g. After creatinine correction, the GM of urine Cu, Zn, Fe of female were higher than that of male (P < 0.05). The GM of urine Cu, Zn, Fe among different ages were all significantly different (P < 0.05):the GM of urine Cu, Zn, Fe were the highest in people aged≥60 years (17.8 μg/g, 572.8 μg/g, 24.0 μg/g).The GM of urine Cu, Zn, Fe among adult residents at different regions in Anhui Province were significantly different (P < 0.05). The GM of urine Cu, Fe were the highest among adult residents in the area of B (17.4 μg/g, 88.4 μg/g), the GM of urine Zn was the highest among adult residents in the area of C (545.4 μg/g). The levels of urine Cu, Zn, Fe were significant lower among smoker (P < 0.05), and the levels of urine Cu, Zn, Fe weresignificant lower among drinker (P < 0.05).
Conclusion The levels of urine Cu, Zn, Fe varied by gender, age and area among adult residents in the region along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province, which might be related to smoking and drinking habits.
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