ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. The etiology of CVD is often associated with multiple risk factors, with environmental factors receiving considerable attention. Individuals with precarious jobs are among the groups most affected by chronic exposure to environmental pollutants. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate occupational exposure to heavy metals among individuals in precarious job settings and investigate atherogenic indices as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A total of 137 workers participated in this cross-sectional study conducted in three work environments in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Urine and blood samples were collected to assess metal exposure and biochemical profiles, including atherogenic indices. RESULTS: The results showed that workers in the brick sector exhibited the highest levels of metal exposure, particularly arsenic (44.06 µg/L), followed by stonecutters and garbage collectors (24.7 and 16.9 µg/L, respectively). Similarly, Castelli risk index (CRI) and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were higher in brickmakers (3.883 and 0.499) compared to stonecutters (3.285 and 0.386) and garbage collectors (3.329 and 0.367). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of exposure to heavy metals was observed in the three populations, in addition to the fact that individuals with greater exposure to arsenic also exhibited higher CRI and AIP.