assessment of hormone levels and some heavy metals of iraqi traffic-warden policemen exposed to vehicle exhausts

roadside traffic air pollution exposures have been associated with various health deteriorates. in accordance with the who s guidelines, the air quality in iraq is considered unsafe. automobile pollution, particularly diesel exhaust, produces significant quantities of particulates containing endocrine disruptors, causing negative health impacts. the current study attempted to determine whether iraqi traffic wardens are vulnerable to traffic air pollution by measuring serum progesterone and testosterone levels, as well as serum lead, copper, manganese, cadmium, and iron concentrations. a total of 72 individuals participated in the current study divided into two main groups: traffic policemen and control. each group was further subdivided into three subgroups based on age, years of service, and smoking habit. the progesterone levels among police officers exposed to vehicle exhaust were negligibly higher than those of the control group. the study data revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in testosterone levels between the two studied groups. copper was significantly higher in exposed group than that of the control group. cadmium levels in the exposed group increased nonsignificantly, which could contribute to endocrine disruption. while iron and lead levels were lower in police exposed to vehicle exhaust than those of the control group, the manganese showed significant decrease in sera of exposed group. high levels of copper in traffic policemen may be associated with increased oxidative stress. although non-significant decrease in iron level was recorded in the present work, diesel exhaust exposure might increase the incidence of anemia in study subjects.