Adverse Health Effects among Workers in an Egyptian Lead Crystal Glass manufacturing plant | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine | ||
| Article 6, Volume 43, Issue 3, September 2019, Pages 399-412 PDF (410.47 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejom.2019.47854 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mostafa NS* 1; Mahmoud NE2; Elhosseiny D3 | ||
| 1Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. | ||
| 2Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. | ||
| 3Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Introduction: Glass production workers are exposed to several workplace factors that may affect their health. Lead encountered in the manufacture of crystal glass is known to cause harmful effects. It is necessary to highlight the health effects of lead among Egyptian crystal glass workers. Aim of work: The aim of the study was to identify some health disorders in relation to blood lead level (BLL) among Egyptian workers exposed to lead in a lead crystal glass factory and find the association between (BLL) and psychological morbidities and biochemical parameters. Materials and methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out in the occupational health clinic at Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. It included 50 workers from a lead crystal glass manufacturing plant (exposed group) and 50 non-exposed workers. Data collected included personal data, occupational and medical histories, clinical examination and body mass index (BMI). Blood lead level (BLL), serum calcium, serum uric acid, red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured for both groups. A general health questionnaire was used to assess psychological morbidities. Results: Exposed workers and controls were matched for gender and age. Exposed workers had significantly more gastro-intestinal, neurological, heat-related, ear and nose symptoms. Regarding biochemical parameters, BLL, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher among exposed workers, while serum creatinine was higher among non-exposed workers. Psychological distress was statistically significantly more prevalent among exposed workers and the difference was statistically significant. Among the exposed workers, only 60%, 56%, 56% and 26% used gloves, masks, uniform and boots, respectively. Conclusion: Elevated BLL is associated with higher BUN and psychological morbidity among exposed workers. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Blood lead; Lead crystal glass factory; Gastro-intestinal; Neurological; Heat-related; Ear and nose symptoms | ||
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