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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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dc.contributor.authorObonyo, Meshack
dc.contributor.authorW.N2, Moturi
dc.contributor.authorOdongo, Alfred Owino
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-17T10:14:13Z
dc.date.available2024-07-17T10:14:13Z
dc.date.issued2019-09-18
dc.description.abstractChronic, 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.
dc.identifier.citationOdongo AO, Moturi WN, Obonyo M (2019). Health Effects of Occupational Lead Exposures among Informal Automobile Repair Artisans: A Case Study of Nakuru Town, Kenya. International Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 4(2): 079-088.
dc.identifier.issn1822-424X
dc.identifier.urihttps://erepository.mku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6097
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInternational Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health
dc.subjectOccupational lead exposure
dc.subjectestimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
dc.subjectBlood lead levels. Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity
dc.subjectautomobile repair artisans
dc.titleHealth 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
dc.typeArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication
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