Liver and kidney function tests amongst paint factory workers in Nkpor, Nigeria

Abstract

Lead, cadmium, nickel and other industrial metals used as part of paint varnishes have been reported to have adverse health implications. An evaluation study on some toxicological effects of occupational exposure to paint, among 25 occupationally exposed artisans and 25 students (control) of Ichi Technical College, Ichi Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out. Heavy metals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and standard assay procedures were employed for biochemical parameters. The biochemical indices used include serum electrolytes urea, creatinine, alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated and total bilirubin. Others include blood lead, serum cadmium and nickel. Our results showed that occupational exposure of humans to paints increased the blood lead (39 +/- 4 microg/dL), serum cadmium (13 +/- 1 microg/dL) and nickel (63 +/- 1 microg/dL), when compared with non-paint factory workers (PFW) lead (17 +/- 4 microg/dL), serum cadmium (9 +/- microg/dL) and nickel (25 +/- 44 microg/dL), significantly at P < 0.05 lower values were observed for serum sodium (138.96 +/- 0.58 mmol/L), bicarbonate (26.88 +/- 0.39 mmol/L), urea (3.15 +/- 0.13 mmol/L) and creatinine (80.48 +/- 1.04 micromol/L) for paints factory workers when compared with non-paint factory workers, sodium (139.84 +/- 0.62 mmol/L), bicarbonate (26.20 +/- 0.22 mmol/L), urea (3.44 +/- 0.11 mmol/L) and creatinine (80.40 +/- 1.55 micromol/L); at P > 0.05. The activities of AST (10.36 +/- 0.58 micro/L), ALT(8.76 +/- 0.47 micro/L) and ALP (47.12 +/- 3.33 micro/L) in PFW were slightly elevated compared with non-PFW. Our result indicates that occupational exposure of humans to heavy metals in paints may have long term deleterious effects on liver and renal functions. In conclusion, it should be noted that occupational exposure to cadmium or lead among PFW, may compromise the liver and renal functions in man.