The associations between metals/metalloids concentrations in blood plasma of Hong Kong residents and their seafood diet, smoking habit, body mass index and age.

The concentrations of metals/metalloids in blood plasma collected from 111 healthy residents (51 female, 60 male) in Hong Kong (obtained from the Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, from March to April 2008) were quantified by means of a double-focusing sector field inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). Results showed that concentrations of these toxic metals such as Hg, Cd, and Pb in Hong Kong residents were not serious when compared with other countries. Males accumulated significantly higher (p < 0.05 or 0.01) Fe (female 0.92 mg/L; male 1.28), Sn (0.44 μg/L; 0.60), Cr (0.77; 0.90), Hg (1.01; 1.73), and Pb (23.4; 31.6) than females. Smokers accumulated significantly higher (p < 0.05) Cd (smoker 0.27 μg/L; nonsmoker 0.17) and Pb (32.8; 17.6) than nonsmokers. Positive correlations were found between concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, with respect to seafood diet habit, body mass index (BMI), and age. More intensive studies involving more samples are needed before a more definite conclusion can be drawn, especially on the causal relationships between concentrations of metals/metalloids with dietary preference and lifestyle of the general public.