Determination of Copper Concentration in Human Blood Serum by ...

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Jan 28, 2003 - Blood Serum by Using Flame Atomic Absorption ... samples were collected from welders, plumbers and flood victims (15 each), so that we were ...
International Conference on Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICCEPS'2012) April 13-15, 2012 Pattaya

Determination of Copper Concentration in Human Blood Serum by Using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS) Syed Fahad Akbar Ali, Nida Imtiaz, Syed Umair Mehdi and Muhammad Asif Abstract—The aim of the study was to determine the concentration of copper in serum of human blood by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). As far as the global environmental health issues are concerned, there are many factors that are directly or indirectly affect human health and society and the deficiency or toxicity of different metals in human blood is one of them. Some trace metals such as copper, zinc, iron and manganese are essential for maintaining good human health whereas, different heavy metals like mercury, molybdenum and lead can affect human health badly. Copper is one of the metals that have coordination with zinc and iron to maintain their absorption, storage, and metabolism, also strengthen skin and blood vessels [2]. The exposure of copper in environment is commonly due to welding, plumbing and such areas where copper fumes are mostly inhaled [1] that caused copper concentration increased in human blood which may leads to common diseases like anemia, liver damage, anxiety, allergies. In this study we analyzed the effects of copper on human health, by determining its concentration in human blood serum which was done on the flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) that give the amount of copper present in serum as results. The 45 blood samples were collected from welders, plumbers and flood victims (15 each), so that we were able to know any related cause of disease or risk due to improper concentration of copper. 

Lack of contaminated water supply may have an excess amount of copper [5]. C. Role of Copper in Human Body Copper has wide scope of importance in human body but the adverse affects arises when it changes the concentration from normal to high or low levels and accumulates in the soft tissues. It stores calcium in bones and also to repair or build connective tissues. Improper concentration of copper may results in fatigue, depression and stress and it may leads to chronic sinus infections and intestinal yeast as thyroid gland is also more sensitive to amount of copper present in the body. Copper is also deeply involved in central nervous system of human. Psychological and neurological conditions, including stress, anxiety, schizophrenia and depression, often disturb by incorrect level of copper concentration [4]. D.Study Design We began this research with detailed literature reading on copper metal and its role and importance in human body. The design of our study and methodology in the form of different phases is illustrated in figure 1.

Keywords--Component; Copper Concentration; Blood Serum; Human Health; Diseases; Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

I.

INTRODUCTION II.

A. Occurrence of Copper Copper is a metal of reddish color that naturally occurs in water, soil, sediments and rocks. In household and commercial areas, it is used in making electrical wiring and water pipes. Compounds of copper are commonly present in the environment and one can be easily exposed while breathing, eating unhygienic food or drinking contaminated water [3].

EXPERIMENTAL IMPLEMENTATION

A. Reagents / Chemicles   

Copper metal wire Nitric Acid (HNO3) Deionized water

B. Prepration of Stock / Bulk Solution For the preparation of stock / bulk solution we dissolve 1.000 gm of copper metal wire in a minimum volume of 1:1 HNO3 and then dilute to 1 liter to give a 1000 ppm (part per million) copper solution.

B. Sources of Copper Copper mainly found in seeds, grains, nuts, meat, eggs and chocolate. Copper can also be found in drinking water pipes as it remains in the pipe during water supply. The deficiencies of iron, manganese, zinc, vitamin B and vitamin C can raise the amount of copper in human body.

C. Ppreparation of Standard Calibration Curve We prepared standard calibration curve by running a series of standard solutions ranging from 0 ppm, 1 ppm, 2 ppm, 3 ppm and 4 ppm (as per requirement with in the range) made from stock solution,. Figure 2 shows the obtained calibration curve of copper metal.

Syed Fahad Akbar Ali, Nida Imtiaz and Syed Umair Mehdi are with Biomedical Engineering Department, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan. Muhammad Asif is with Electronic Engineering Department, Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan. Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

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International Conference on Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICCEPS'2012) April 13-15, 2012 Pattaya

potable water [6]. In the end, the variation in concentrations of copper detected within flood victims with respective to their period of drinking contaminated water. In this case, those victims who have lower level of copper may indicating iron deficiency levels which may further cause anemia and also show signs of dysfunction of physiological processes whereas, those victims who are showing greater level of copper may indicate causes of contaminated water they are drinking.

Literature Study

Preparation of Stock / Bulk Solution

Preparation of Standard Solutions

Establish Standard Calibration Curve

Preparation of the Sample Solution

Sample Analysis

Results

Fig. 1.

Design of Study

Fig. 2.

D.Prepration of Blood Samples The detection of copper is automatically performed if 1 ml of blood serum (after being centrifuged) sample is diluted to 1:5 or 1:10 ratio with deionized water [5]. III.

TABLE I.

IV.

DISCUSSION

From table I, the variation in concentrations of copper detected among welders with respective to their experience of work. In copper and copper alloys joint, welding is used and due to these welders may be affected by inhalation of fumes formed. On the other hand, variation in concentrations of copper detected in plumbers with respective to their experience of work, for how long they being into maintenance of plumbing, sewage and 141

Concentration of Copper in welders, plumbers and flood victims

S. No.

Copper in Welders (mg / L)

Copper in Plumbers (mg / L)

Copper in Flood Victims (mg / L)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

1.24 1.41 1.34 1.22 1.31 1.50 0.61 0.50 0.55 0.71 0.60 0.57 1.25 1.28 1.34

1.34 0.60 0.55 1.22 1.41 1.27 0.61 0.50 1.25 0.71 1.33 0.57 1.50 1.28 1.24

0.088 0.12 0.30 0.24 0.54 0.13 0.22 1.12 1.24 1.11 1.10 0.89 0.99 1.12 1.0

RESULTS

The results of copper concentration determination by using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS), in blood serum of welders, plumbers and flood victims with dilution factor 1:10 for all samples is shown in Table I.

Standard Calibration Curve of Copper

International Conference on Chemical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICCEPS'2012) April 13-15, 2012 Pattaya

V.

CONCLUSION

From this study of copper concentration determination among welders, plumbers and flood victims, it has been noted from all three classes of blood donors, flood victims are less commonly affected as compare to welders and plumbers as shown in figure 3. Welders and plumbers seem to be equally affected as they belong to direct contact of copper and copper compounds. As they are being into their professions for long period of time, they will definitely have some serious hazardous effects of copper, if proper precautions shall not be taken. REFERENCES [1] [2] [3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

Dr. Paul C. Eck, Dr. Larry Wilson, “Copper Toxicity”, Eck Institute of Applied Nutrition and Bioenergetics, Ltd. Leslie M. Klevay M.D., S.D. in Hyg, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center (http://www.ithyroid.com/copper.htm). Margie Damgaard, “Copper and Your Health”, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, IS Professional, Public Water Section, and Last Modified: Tuesday January 28, 2003 (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/copper.htm). Water Treatment Solutions Lenntech, “Copper-Cu”, Chemical Properties of Copper, Health and Environmental Effects of Copper, (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:5wncI5acf9wJ:w ww.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/cu.htm+copper+levels+in+plumbers&c d=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk). Qi Jian –Xin, “Determination of Cu, Zn, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na and K in Serum by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy”, Human Medical University, Changcha, Peoples Republic of China. The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering, “Public Health”, Health Aspects of Plumbing (http://www.ciphe.org.uk/professional/public-health/).

Fig. 3.

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Comparison of copper concentration among welders, plumbers and flood victims