EFFECTS OF LEAD EXPOSURE ON LIVER FUNCTION MARKERS OF PAINTING WORKERS IN WADI AL-HAYAH, LIBYA

Ashraf Albakoush*, Mohamed Masaud Almatamed, Apoajela A. Ahmed and Waled Alsalmi

ABSTRACT

The heavy metal lead is a common occupational and environmental pollutant, and damage caused by lead exposure is still a major public health problem. It is a toxic and harmful substance that can impact the homeostasis process of hepatic biochemical markers and blood pressure. The study aimed to evaluate blood lead levels among painting workers (lead paint exposed group) and in unexposed subjects (control group), and to investigate its adverse impact on liver function and blood pressure. A total of 64 adult male participants whose ages ranged between 20-45 years were included in this study, 34 of painting workers (lead paint exposed group) and 30 subjects as a control group (lead paint unexposed group). The mean age of painting workers and control group was 35.76 6.47 years and 35.33 6.48 years, respectively. Blood lead and hepatic biomarkers (ALT, AST, Total protein and serum albumin) were all biochemically estimated in the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also measured in the study. All the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 14 for applying one-way ANOVA test. Blood Lead level of exposed and unexposed groups were 6.39 3.32 μg/dL and 1.25 0.58 μg/dL, respectively. Significant elevation in the levels of blood lead, ALT, AST and blood pressure among painting workers (lead paint exposed group) as compared to unexposed group, on the other hand, there was a significant reduce in total protein and serum albumin among painting workers as compared to unexposed group. It is concluded that lead paint exposure has an adverse effect on liver function and blood pressure which may contribute to cardiovascular diseases by elevating blood pressure even at low lead levels. Moreover, long susceptibility to lead exposure leads to more significant alterations in hepatic biomarkers and blood pressure.

Keywords: Adverse Effect, Lead Paint, Liver Function, Hepatic Markers and Blood Pressure.