Publication: Health Effects of Occupational Lead Exposures among Informal Automobile Repair Artisans: A Case Study of Nakuru Town, Kenya Health Effects of Occupational Lead Exposures among Informal Automobile Repair Artisans: A Case Study of Nakuru Town, Kenya
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2019-09-18
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International Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health
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Abstract
Chronic, high-level lead exposure is known to be a risk factor for kidney and liver diseases.
The health effect of low-level occupational exposure to lead is less well known, particularly
among informal automobile repair artisans, a population that is at risk of occupational lead
exposures due to their predisposing occupational tasks. The study assessed blood lead levels
and associated health risks on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and serum Alanine
Aminotransferase (ALT) activity among the study participants. A descriptive comparative study
was conducted and the participants included ( n = 3 0 ) occupationally exposed artisans and
( n = 3 0 ) non-exposed college students. Blood lead levels were analyzed using Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometry according to the NIOSH 8003 method. Serum ALT activity
and eGFR measurements were conducted using Reflotron automated biochemical analyzer.
The eGFR was determined based on Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study (MDRD)
equation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, ANOVA, and t-
test. The mean blood lead (BPb) level of the artisans (25.36μg/dl±2.62SE) was significantly
higher than that of the control participants (14.17μg/dl±1.74SE), (t (29) =3.65, p=0.001) and
exceeded the 20μg/dl WHO biological exposure index (BEI) of concern for adults, (p=0.049).The
artisans had a significantly decreased eGFR (128.37 mL/min/1.73m2 ± 4.37SE) compared to the
control participants (152.93 mL/min/1.73m2 ± 3.91SE), (t (29) = -4.49, p =0.000). Moreover, the
artisans had a lower mean serum ALT activity of (18.50 IU/L±1.63SE) compared to the control
participants (21.34 IU/L± 2.85SE). However, the difference was insignificant, (t (29) = 0.86, p = 0.40).
The study concluded that the artisans were occupationally exposed to lead and risked chronic
pathological effects on the kidney and liver functions. The key recommendation therefore is to
institute public health intervention measures to curb such occupational health risk among the
artisans.
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Keywords
Occupational lead exposure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), Blood lead levels. Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, automobile repair artisans