Impact of Occupational Lead Exposure on Liver and Kidney Function Tests on Silver Jewellery Workers

Abstract

Introduction: In unorganised silver jewellery industry, lead fumes and lead oxide dusts are generated while manufacturing the silver ring and the workers involved in this business are highly exposed to lead. This increased blood lead level affects all organ and systems of occupationally lead exposed workers. Aim: To perceive the present scenario of blood lead level and its effects on liver and kidney function test on Silver Jewellery Workers (SJW). Materials and Methods: For this study 42 SJW and 50 normal healthy subjects were included from Western Maharashtra, India. Blood lead level was estimated using lead Care II blood lead analyser and Liver Function Tests (LFT) and Kidney Function Tests (KFT) were measured by standard methods. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s t-test. Results: The blood lead (p<0.001, 325%), serum alanine transaminase (p<0.01, 44.3 %), serum aspartate transaminase (p<0.05, 17.2%), serum bilirubin (p<0.01, 22.64%), serum alkaline phosphatase (p<0.001, 30.59%), blood urea (p<0.001, 11.7%), serum creatinine (p<0.001, 14.28%) and serum uric acid (18.11%) were significantly increased while serum total protein (p<0.01, -5.9 %), albumin (p<0.01, -11.9%) and albumin/ globulin ratio (-17.26%) were significantly decreased in SJW as compared to healthy control subjects. Conclusion: In this study increased blood lead level indicates higher absorption of lead in SJW of Western Maharashtra, which slightly impairs the liver and kidney function tests. The regular monitoring of blood lead level, liver and kidney function may prevent severe health hazards caused due to lead.

Keywords

• alanine transaminase
• alkaline phosphatase
• aspartate transaminase
• bilirubin
• blood lead level
• blood urea
• silver jewellery industry