effects of chronic zinc fume exposure on memory and cognition

background:purpose of present study was to investigate whether chronic exposure to zinc fume would affect serum zinc levels, memory, and cognition in zinc fume-exposed workers. methods:in a cross-sectional study, all zinc fume-exposed workers (exposed, n=20) were compared with unexposed workers (reference, n=20) matched for sex and education level in a zinc galvanization factory. the workers were undergone wechsler memory scale (wms) and mini mental state examination (mmse). mean wms score in exposed group (75.80 ± 14.40) was significantly lower than reference group (91.65 ± 15.79) however there was no significant difference in mmse scores between two groups. there was a negative linear relationship between memory, mmse scores, and serum zinc level. exposure to zinc fume may lead to memory problems. conclusion:regular measurement of serum zinc level is recommended for exposed individuals.