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S R, Vaiyakkani G, S SK, Ramachandran A, Rajendran K, Krishnasamy N, Panneerselvam P, Pamarthi J, Rajaram M. Analysis of blood lead level and its clinical significance among occupational exposed painters in chennai based population: A cross sectional study. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2023; 79:127257. [PMID: 37437390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2023.127257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIM Lead is a ubiquitous element found in the earth crust. There is no known physiologic role of lead in human body and hence any amount of lead present in human tissue considered as a contamination. Several studies on lead toxicity show that, occupational exposure remains the main source for lead toxicity and is emerging as important public health problem. Burden and severity of occupational exposure of lead and its clinical significance are gaining more interest in the field of toxicology. Only limited studies are available and there is scarcity of epidemiology data to assess the blood lead levels of workers and the contribution of common workplace practices to lead exposure in India especially from our region. So, the current study is designed to assess the blood lead levels (BLL) and its clinical significance among high risk workers especially painters working in the construction and public private sector in Chennai based population. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional case control study included 122 painters and 122 healthy individuals. A detailed questionnaire about demographic details, personal habits, work related safety precautions, presenting symptoms of lead toxicity were given to painter followed by detailed medical examination and blood investigations including blood lead levels were collected and statistically analyzed. The t-test were used to compare mean blood lead levels and to investigate the associations between specific job type, use of self-protection device,sex, service years and occurrence of non-specific symptoms with BLLs. RESULTS The mean BLL of the painters were less than the recommended threshold level. Among painters 13.1% were categorized under BLL > 10 μg/dL. The higher BLL among the painters were directly proportional to year of experience and poor usage of personal protective materials. The levels of Hb, HCT and eosinophil were much correlated with lead toxicity. A marginal significance were observed in some parameters especially urea and creatinine when compared with control. The Cognitive dysfunction, hypertension and renal dysfunction were also observed among the painters. CONCLUSION The BLL in painters among our group were minimal compared to biological reference value. Duration of exposure and association of patient's clinical features like cognitive dysfunction, hypertension and renal dysfunction conditions were observed and this should be carefully monitored and study on huge population of painters with longitudinal aspect is recommended to rule out the clinical correlation of lead toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ragunanthanan S
- Poison Control, Training & Research Centre, Institute of Internal Medicine, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital & Madras Medical College, 1st floor, Tower II Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India
| | - Govardhini Vaiyakkani
- Poison Control, Training & Research Centre, Institute of Internal Medicine, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital & Madras Medical College, 1st floor, Tower II Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India.
| | - Senthil Kumar S
- Institute of Internal Medicine, K.A.P. Viswanatham Medical College is a medical, Periyamilaguparai, Colletor's office Road, Tamil Nadu 620001, India
| | - Arunkumar Ramachandran
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Madras Medical College, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India.
| | - Karthick Rajendran
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Madras Medical College, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India
| | - Narayanasamy Krishnasamy
- Institute of Hepatobilary Sciences, Madras Medical College & Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600 003, India
| | | | - Jayakrishna Pamarthi
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Madras Medical College, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India
| | - Muthukumaran Rajaram
- Multidisciplinary Research Unit, Madras Medical College, Park Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600003, India
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Ghaffarian-Bahraman A, Taherifard A, Esmaeili A, Ahmadinia H, Rezaeian M. Evaluation of blood lead among painters of buildings and cars. Toxicol Ind Health 2021; 37:737-744. [PMID: 34797729 DOI: 10.1177/07482337211042731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to lead-based paints is a major threat to the health of painters. This study aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of lead (Pb) in painters of buildings and cars. The present study was a cross-sectional study in which a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic information. Lead concentration in blood samples was determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method. A total of 32 male painters were selected based on inclusion criteria. The mean blood lead level (BLL) in the painters was 8.1 ± 4.93 μg/dL. Pb levels in car and building painters were 9.42 ± 5.5 μg/dL and 6.7 ± 1.85 μg/dL, respectively. Pb concentration in none of the blood samples was more than 30 μg/dL. The prevalence of BLL ≥ 5 μg/dL and BLL ≥ 10 μg/dL was 97% and 19%, respectively. According to the findings, the rate of BLL among car painters was higher than building painters. Considering the presence of Pb in all blood samples, it seems necessary to increase the awareness of painters about the adverse effects of lead exposure even in low concentrations. However, the sample size in this study was small and more investigations are required in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ghaffarian-Bahraman
- Occupational Environment Research Center, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Alireza Taherifard
- Occupational Environment Research Center, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Abbas Esmaeili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Occupational Environment Research Center, School of Health, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Hassan Ahmadinia
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Occupational Environmental Research Center, Rafsanjan Medical School, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rezaeian
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Occupational Environmental Research Center, Rafsanjan Medical School, 113396Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
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