Correlative study on the effect of toxic paint chemicals on the hepatorenal of paint factory workers in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Some chemical components of paint have been classified as toxigenic and carcinogenic to human health. The liver and kidney function markers have been found useful in assessing toxic effect of substances. This study assessed the liver and kidney function parameters of paint factory workers in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: One hundred and forty apparently healthy men, aged (21-40 years), were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Eighty paint factory workers (PFW) as test subjects and sixty non-paint factory workers (NPFW) as controls. Blood samples were collected from participants for the determination of serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated and total bilirubin using standard methods. Data were analysed using SPSS computer software version 22. Results: The results showed that mean serum level of AST, ALP, Sodium and Chloride were significantly higher in PFW compared to NPFW (P< 0.05). Workers use of personal protective equipment were hand gloves (20%), goggles (7.5%), safety boots (52.5%), dust masks (20%), factory gown (36.25%). Self-reported occupational health problems amongst the PFW was also evaluated, and headache had the highest percentage (68.75%), followed by eye irritation (60%), skin irritation (56.25%), dizziness (23.75%), sleep disorder (20%), anxiety (12.5%), memory loss (0%). Conclusion: This study shows that occupational exposure of humans to volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in paints may have long term deleterious effects on liver, kidney or brain function in paint factory workers.