Comparative Analysis of Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Blood of Smokers and Non-Smokers in Zakho city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Tobacco smoking is a popular form of recreation globally, and tobacco smoke contains over seven thousand chemical compounds that include toxic heavy metals. The pollutants can result in cardiovascular conditions, cancers, and respiratory illnesses. These metals get accumulated in the consumers' bodies and perform harmful functions such as damaging DNA and triggering inflammation and oxidative stress. This study looks at and compares the amounts of several heavy metals [cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe)] in the blood of smokers and non-smokers in Zakho City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. 50 volunteers (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) were sampled, and blood samples were examined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The results showed that smokers had significantly higher cadmium, lead, and nickel concentrations compared to non-smokers (p < 0.0001). Conversely, copper concentrations were significantly lower among smokers (p < 0.001), while iron concentrations were slightly but significantly higher (p = 0.0007). These findings confirm that smoking is a major source of heavy metal exposure, leading to disruption of trace element homeostasis and with possible health effects. This research emphasizes the need for public health interventions as well as continuous environmental monitoring in the region. Additionally, it offers significant insights to guide local health policies and enhance community awareness.