Mixed chemical-induced oxidative stress in occupational exposure in Nigerians

Abstract

Exposure to single chemicals and associated disorders in occupational environments has received significant attention. Understanding these events holds great promise for risk identification, assessment and chemical induced disease prevention. Fifty (50) fasting male workers, age range 18-50 years exposed to chemical mixtures in a works department, mean duration 17.7±10.1 years and 30 controls matched for age, diet, sex and other demographic characteristics except exposure to chemicals were selected. Body mass index (BMI), antioxidant status and other biochemical indices including plasma proteins (total protein) and subsets, albumin and total globulins were determined in plasma. The BMI was similar between chemical workers (exposed) and controls (p>0.05). Uric acid level was significantly higher in the exposed than in the controls (p 0.05). Plasma proteins were significantly lower in chemical workers than in controls (p<0.001). Total globulins was significantly reduced in chemical workers (p<0.01). Other variables did not differ significantly. These data are consistent with the existence of oxidative stress in these chemical workers. Key words: Chemical mixtures, occupational exposure, oxidative stress.