Simultaneous Determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Se in Human Blood of Jordanian Smokers by ICP-OES Adnan Massadeh & Ahmed Gharibeh & Khaled Omari & Idrees Al-Momani & Ahmed Alomari & Hiatham Tumah & Wail Hayajneh Received: 17 February 2009 / Accepted: 7 May 2009 / Published online: 26 May 2009 # Humana Press Inc. 2009 Abstract A total of 73 blood samples (56 from smokers and 17 from nonsmokers) were collected to determine the concentrations of selected heavy metal in the whole blood of smokers and nonsmokers living in and around the city of Amman, Jordan. Analysis of heavy metals in the whole blood samples of various groups took in consideration the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The analysis of blood samples was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. This study aimed to evaluate the blood metal levels in smokers and nonsmokers and to assess the influence of smoking cigarettes on blood metal levels. The results were compared with those from a control group. The results indicated that the average concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) were 0.0313, 0.344, 2.328, 3.214, and 0.332 mg/L, respectively. Statistical analysis of results indicated that these average concentrations were significantly higher compared with the average concentrations in nonsmokers (P <0.05). Moreover, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in smokers, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in nonsmokers, and the correlations between blood metal concentration in smokers and its concentration in Biol Trace Elem Res (2010) 133:1–11 DOI 10.1007/s12011-009-8405-y A. Massadeh (*) Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan e-mail: massadeh@just.edu.jo A. Gharibeh : K. Omari Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan I. Al-Momani : A. Alomari Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan H. Tumah Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan W. Hayajneh Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan