Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry

Aims: To compare fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the frequencies of elevated concentrations, among miners, non-mining community residents and comparison adults in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Enyigba lead–zinc mining community, Abakaliki Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria; April–September 2018.

Methodology: The study included 215 adults: 89 miners, 61 non-mining residents and 65 comparison participants. Fasting serum lipids were measured using Roche reagents and a COBAS c111 analyzer. Group means were compared using one-way analysis of variance reconstructed from rounded group summaries. The frequencies of elevated TC (≥5.2 mmol/L), TG (≥1.7 mmol/L) and LDL-C (≥3.4 mmol/L) were compared using Pearson chi-square tests. Wilson 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for within-group percentages. All comparisons were unadjusted.

Results: Elevated TC occurred in 41 miners (46.1%), 6 non-mining residents (9.8%) and no comparison participants; elevated TG occurred in 60 (67.4%), 28 (45.9%) and 1 (1.5%), respectively; and elevated LDL-C in 39 (43.8%), 7 (11.5%) and 2 (3.1%). The respective chi-square statistics were 53.88, 67.91 and 41.74 (all p < .001). Mean TC, TG and LDL-C concentrations followed the same miner–resident–comparison ordering. The analysis did not include direct measurements of metal exposure or adjustment for cardiometabolic confounding.

Conclusion: The sampled occupational and residential groups differed in three unadjusted lipid outcomes. The findings do not establish effects of lead or other mining-related metals and should not be interpreted as population prevalence or as evidence of cardiovascular events.