In-vitro radiological and toxicological detection in urine samples of cancer patients in Al- Diwaniyah governorate, Iraq

Background: The examination of the urine samples is the preferable procedure to observing the inner exposure to radioactive and toxic pollutants in human body. This study focuses on the uranium concentrations (UC) and toxic metal concentrations (TMC) in urine samples of cancer patients and healthy volunteers from Al-Diwaniyah governorate. Materials and Methods: Fission track technique with CR -39 track detectors and atomic absorption spectrophotometry were used to determine the uranium and toxic metals, respectively. Results: For the patients group the result of UC ranged between 5.04 μg /l to 2.21 μg/l, with the average value was 3.83 μg/l, while the data of UC of the healthy group varied from 3.15 μg/l to 0.49 μg/l, with the average value was 1.91 μg/l. The average values of TMC (Pb, Ni and Cd) in urine samples of cancer patients were 0.342 mg/l, 0.231 mg/l, and 0.075 mg/l respectively, whereas the average values of corresponding elements in urine samples of healthy subjects were 0.233 mg/ l, 0.127 mg/l, and 0.025 mg/l, respectively. Conclusion: The current in vitro investigation shows the pollution in urine samples of the participants through UC and TMC and also finds that the UC and TMC in urine of cancer patients significantly higher than healthy volunteers. The results of (UC) and (TMC) in urine samples of the participants exceeded the recommended limits.