Levels of lead, aluminum, and zinc in occupationally exposed workers of North-Western India

Preeti Singh; Prasenjit Mitra; Taru Goyal; Shailja Sharma; Purvi Purohit; Praveen Sharma

doi:10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0220

Article

Levels of lead, aluminum, and zinc in occupationally exposed workers of North-Western India

Preeti Singh , Prasenjit Mitra , Taru Goyal , Shailja Sharma , Purvi Purohit and Praveen Sharma

Published/Copyright: March 12, 2021

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From the journal Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Volume 33 Issue 2

Abstract

Objectives

Metals including lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), and zinc (Zn) are widely used in factories such as welding, handicrafts, and paint. Occupational exposure to such metals causes a wide range of biological effects, depending upon the metal levels and duration of exposure. Accumulation of these metals may lead to several adverse health effects such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The study aimed to evaluate Pb, Al, and Zn levels in occupationally exposed workers of North-Western India and create awareness about its toxicity and adverse outcomes.

Methods

The study included 120 factory workers (exposed) and 100 healthy controls (nonexposed); age ranged 18–78 years. Blood Pb and serum Al was estimated by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry and serum Zn was estimated by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ICE 3000, Thermo Fisher Scientific).

Results

Results indicated significantly higher levels of Pb, Al, and Zn in the exposed than the nonexposed. No significant difference was observed in metal levels, based on age and duration of exposure. Painters showed higher blood Pb, whereas welders were found to have higher serum Al and Zn levels.

Conclusions

To conclude, workers showed higher levels of metals and it may cause deleterious effects on the health of workers occupationally exposed to these metals. Appropriate maintenance regarding worker’s safety and hygiene is required to protect them from the harmful effects of these toxic metals.

Keywords: Al; exposure; Pb; toxicity; Zn

Corresponding author: Prof. & Head of the Department, Praveen Sharma, Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, E-mail: praveensharma55@gmail.com

Preeti Singh and Prasenjit Mitra are co-first authors (have equally contributed to the work).

Funding source: All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur

Acknowledgments

N/A.

Research funding: Institutional support, All India Institute of medical sciences Jodhpur
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: No conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: Ethical approval was obtained from ethical committee of All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur.

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Received: 2020-04-30

Accepted: 2020-11-10

Published Online: 2021-03-12

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0220

Keywords for this article

Al; exposure; Pb; toxicity; Zn