Association of Blood Lead and Mercury Levels with Dyslipidemia and Liver Dysfunction: Evidence from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey

(lead, Pb), (mercury, Hg), (cadmium, Cd) (1) (, , ) (2,3) .(World Health Organization, WHO) , (4) .Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between blood concentrations of lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) and the prevalence of dyslipidemia and liver dysfunction among Korean adults.By evaluating the potential metabolic impact of heavy metal exposure, the study sought to provide public health implications.Methods: Data were obtained from 3,364 adults aged 19 years or older who participated in the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS, 2018-2020).Dyslipidemia was defined based on standard clinical thresholds for total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides, while liver dysfunction was identified based on elevated levels of AST, ALT, and GGT.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze associations between metal concentrations and health indicators, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, alcohol consumption, and smoking.Results: Participants in the highest quartile of blood lead levels had significantly higher odds of dyslipidemia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.75)and liver dysfunction (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.09-1.71)compared to those in the lowest quartile.Blood mercury levels also showed a positive association with dyslipidemia (OR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.03-1.57)and a marginal association with liver dysfunction (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.97-1.43),although the latter was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Elevated blood levels of lead and mercury were significantly associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia and liver dysfunction.These findings underscore the need for systematic environmental monitoring of heavy metals and the implementation of exposure reduction strategies.Longitudinal studies are recommended to clarify causal relationships.