Plasma and saliva levels of three metals in waterpipe smokers: a case control study

In this case-control study, the influence of waterpipe tobacco smoking on the plasma and saliva levels of cadmium, lead and zinc was examined in participants who were waterpipe tobacco smokers (WS) or never-smokers (NS). The concentration of metals was higher in WS relative to NS. The mean (SEM) cadmium concentration in plasma was 3.3 (0.18)mu g/dL in WS versus 0.82 (0.09)mu g/L in NS (p<.001) and in saliva was 5.1 (0.36)mu g/L in WS versus 0.64 (0.2)mu g/L in NS (p<.001). The mean (SEM) lead concentration in plasma was 5.2 (0.25)mu g/dL in WS versus 3.4 (0.41)mu g/dL in NS (p<.01) and in saliva was 4.8 (0.58)mu g/L in WS versus 2.8 (0.27)mu g/L in NS (p<.05). Similarly, a significant difference in zinc concentration was observed, with a mean of 2.0 (0.17)mu g/mL in WS plasma versus 1.49 (0.16)mu g/mL in NS (p<.05) and a mean 0.94 (0.07)mu g/mL in WS saliva versus 0.45 (0.06)mu g/mL in NS (p<.01). In conclusion, waterpipe tobacco smoking is associated with elevated levels of metals in body fluids. These results provide another demonstration of how waterpipe tobacco smoking exposes smokers to harmful toxicants.