Effect of occupational lead exposure on the family members of lead based industrial workers

Abstract

Introduction: A comparative study of family members of persons working in lead based industries and non-lead based industries were undertaken to evaluate the effect of lead on family members of lead based industrial workers and its effect on their liver function tests. As lead can be brought home though the shoes and dresses of lead based industrial workers, this study was done to evaluate the extent of lead exposure and its ill effects on liver functions on their family members as there were very few studies available to show the ill effects of lead on family members of lead based industrial workers. Materials and Methods: Subjects were classified as. Group-A: Controls- individuals who were working in non-lead based industries. Group B: Adult Family members of individuals who were working in lead based industries. Biomarkers of lead exposure estimated were BLL, ?-ALAD, Hb and ZPP. Liver function tests conducted were- estimation of serum enzymes like AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, serum bilirubin, serum total proteins and A/G ratio. Results: The study showed statistically significant increase in BLL (p Conclusions: This study shows that lead brought home through the shoes and dresses of lead based industrial workers affects their family members. This could be prevented by taking simple precautionary measures such as changing clothes and taking shower before reaching home. Keywords: Occupational lead, Family members, Liver function tests, Preventive measures.