Comparative analysis of oxidative stress resulting from heavy metal occupational exposure among green space workers

Objectives. Occupational exposure to heavy metals has emerged as a significant public health threat. These metals can induce oxidative stress, a significant risk for green space workers due to frequent exposure to air pollutants in urban areas. Even with these high-risk levels, exposure to heavy metals among this group is understudied. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of exposure to nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) on oxidative stress among these workers. Methods. Air samples were taken from 88 male participants for Ni, Pb and Mn analysis using NIOSH-7300. Urine samples were taken for heavy metal and 8-hydroxy-2^'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) biomonitoring. Results. The exposed population of green space workers showed significantly elevated levels of airborne Ni and Pb (p ≤ 0.001) and urinary Mn and Ni (p ≤ 0.001) compared with a control group of office workers. The exposed population also had elevated urinary 8-OHDG levels, indicating increased oxidative stress. The strong correlation and regression analysis (R² = 0.7964) confirm that metal exposure had a significant effect on oxidative stress. Conclusion. The study underscores the occupational risk of heavy metal exposure in outdoor settings, emphasizing the need for effective health and safety policies despite limitations such as sample size and city-specific focus.