Determination of toxic element concentrations in human blood samples using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

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This study investigates the concentrations of toxic elements in blood samples collected from workers in various building material factories in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, and compares them with a control group. The samples included 30 workers aged 21–64 years and 25 controls aged 20–70 years, analysed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The workers were employed in cement, red brick, concrete block, gypsum, marble, gypsum board, stone crushing, tiles, and behaton factories. Average concentrations of toxic elements in workers’ blood followed the order Br (133.71 ± 1.70 ppb) > Pb (36.13 ± 1.57 ppb) > Cu (32.70 ± 1.70 ppb) > Ni (29.45 ± 1.77 ppb) > Cd (27.15 ± 1.86 ppb) > Cr (22.66 ± 2.00 ppb), compared with controls in the order Br (33.92 ± 5.48 ppb) > Pb (10.64 ± 1.15 ppb) > Cu (4.80 ± 0.76 ppb) > Ni (3.76 ± 0.66 ppb) > Cd (2.60 ± 0.65 ppb) > Cr (1.34 ± 0.57 ppb), with all differences statistically significant (p < 0.05). Higher concentrations were observed in males and smokers, and levels increased with age and work duration, particularly for Pb and Cd. Cement and red brick factories recorded the highest concentrations for most elements. These findings indicate that occupational exposure in building material factories elevates blood concentrations of toxic elements and underscore the need for targeted health protection measures, routine biomonitoring and strengthened workplace safety practices.