Comparing Blood Lead Level among Oral/inhaled Opium Addicts with a Non-addict Control Group in the Southeast of Iran

Background: Opium is widely used among addicts in the Middle East countries such as Iran. Recent reports suggest that opium sellers cheat their customers by adding lead to the opium. Contaminated opium can threaten the health of consumers. This study was designed to evaluate the lead concentration in blood sample of oral and inhaled opium user’s referring to Amir Al-Momenin Hospital in Zabol, Iran, during spring ۲۰۱۵ in comparison with those of control group.Methods: Blood lead level (BLL) of ۱۸۸ subjects with a mean age of ۵۲.۰۶ years in three categories - including oral opium addicted (۵۵ patients), inhaled opium addicted (۵۵ patients), and healthy control group (n = ۷۸) - was assessed. The BLL of all the subjects was assessed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Findings: Almost all participants consumed “Tariak” (۹۹.۰۹%). Mean ± standard deviation (SD) duration of opium addiction was ۱۳.۲۱ ± ۱۰.۲۶ years. The average blood lead concentration among oral users, inhaled users, and control group were ۳۴.۳۱ ± ۲۱.۵۴, ۴۱.۱۳ ± ۲۶.۴۰, and ۹.۸۶ ± ۴.۴۰ µg/dl, respectively (P = ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Our study showed significant differences of BLLs between opium users and control group. We also did not find any association between blood lead concentration and method of opium consumption.

کلیدواژه ها:

Blood lead level ، Opium ، Addict