Dataset Information

Blood lead level risk factors and reference value derivation in a cross-sectional study of potentially lead-exposed workers in Iran.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:This exploratory investigation aimed to measure blood lead levels and associated risk factors in exposed workers in Iran, and to derive appropriate reference values for blood lead in this population as a means of epidemiological comparison. DESIGN:Cross-sectional. SETTING:Manufacturing plants with potential lead exposure in Southern Khorasan Province, Iran. PARTICIPANTS:The study included 630 workers, selected through stratified random sampling. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:The primary measures in this exploratory investigation were venous blood lead concentration (BLC) and associated risk factors of age, gender, work experience, cigarette smoking and history of opium use. The secondary measures were symptoms associated with lead toxicity. Data analyses were conducted using Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman correlation coefficient and regression analysis. RESULTS:Mean and median BLCs were 6.5±8.1 ?g/dL and 3.9 ?g/dL (IQR: 2.9-5.8), respectively. Of the subjects, 85 (13.5%) had BLC ?10 ?g/dL. The derived reference BLC value in this study was 30 ?g/dL for men and 14 ?g/dL for women. Increasing work experience and age were associated with BLC >10 ?g/dL. Radiator manufacturers were up to 12.9 times (95% CI 4.6 to 35, p<0.005) more likely than painters to have BLC >10 ?g/dL. Most subjects reported multiple symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:The mean BLC was above the maximum recommended concentration. There was a significant relationship between higher BLC and age or working in a printing factory or radiator manufacturing. These findings can direct efforts towards reducing occupational lead exposure.

SUBMITTER: Nakhaee S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6609121 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Blood lead level risk factors and reference value derivation in a cross-sectional study of potentially lead-exposed workers in Iran.

Nakhaee Sareh S Amirabadizadeh Alireza A Nakhaee Samaneh S Zardast Mahmood M Schimmel Jonathan J Ahmadian-Moghadam Jalil J Akbari Ayob A Mohammadian Darmian Homeira H Mohammadi Maryam M Mehrpour Omid O

BMJ open 20190702 7

<h4>Objectives</h4>This exploratory investigation aimed to measure blood lead levels and associated risk factors in exposed workers in Iran, and to derive appropriate reference values for blood lead in this population as a means of epidemiological comparison.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional.<h4>Setting</h4>Manufacturing plants with potential lead exposure in Southern Khorasan Province, Iran.<h4>Participants</h4>The study included 630 workers, selected through stratified random sampling.<h4>Primary ...[more]

PMID: 31270112

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundExposure to lead (Pb) has been associated with endocrine, hematological, gastrointestinal, renal and neurological problems in humans. However, effects on the thyroid gland are controversial.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess thyroid function in foundry workers occupationally exposed to Pb and the mechanism of oxidative-antioxidant imbalance.MethodsThyroid function parameters and markers of oxidative stress were examined in 59 adult males who had been occupationally exposed to Pb. The results were then compared to those of 28 male subjects who had no history of Pb exposure or thyroid abnormalities and served as a control group.ResultsMean blood lead levels (16.5±1.74 μg/dl) were significantly higher among the exposed workers compared to those of the control group (12.8±1.16 μg/dl, (p <0.001)). The exposed group had significantly increased free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and significantly decreased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (1.77±0.44 μIU/ml), whereas the control group had a TSH level of 2.61±0.94 μIU/ml (p< 0.0001). A state of oxidative stress was indicated by the significant increase in mean levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.0001). There was a significant positive correlation (r=0.358, p <0.05) between blood lead levels (BLL) and duration of employment, while BLL showed a significant negative correlation with TSH (r =-0.486, p <0.001), and GSH (r =-0.336, p <0.05). Of the occupationally exposed workers, 32.76% had elevated thyroid hormones. The results showed a significant positive relationship between GSH and TSH (β coefficient=0.274, p < 0.05), MDA with FT3 (β coefficient=0.355, p < 0.05) and FT4 (β coefficient = 0.491, p < 0.0001) among exposed workers.ConclusionsWorkers exposed to Pb dust proved to be at risk for hyperthyroidism, which was found to have a significant role in oxidative-antioxidant imbalance present among workers with increasing duration of exposure.Participant consentObtained.Ethics approvalThis study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the National Research Centre in Egypt (NRC) under the registration number 15225.Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing financial interests.

Project description:BackgroundDifferent organochlorines and lead (Pb) have been shown to have immunomodulating properties. Children are at greater risk for exposure to these environmental toxicants, but very little data exist on simultaneous exposures to these substances.MethodsWe investigated whether the organochlorine compounds (OC) dichlorodiphenylethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH), the sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (SigmaPCBs) and Pb were associated with immune markers such as immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, white blood cell (WBC), counts of lymphocytes; eosinophils and their eosinophilic granula as well as IgE count on basophils. The investigation was part of a cross-sectional environmental study in Hesse, Germany. In 1995, exposure to OC and Pb were determined, questionnaire data collected and immune markers quantified in 331 children. For the analyses, exposure (OC and Pb) concentrations were grouped in quartiles (gamma-HCH into tertiles). Using linear regression, controlling for age, gender, passive smoking, serum lipids, and infections in the previous 12 months, we assessed the association between exposures and immune markers. Adjusted geometric means are provided for the different exposure levels.ResultsGeometric means were: DDE 0.32 microg/L, SigmaPCBs 0.50 microg/L, HCB 0.22 microg/L, gamma-HCH 0.02 microg/L and Pb 26.8 microg/L. The SigmaPCBs was significantly associated with increased IgM levels, whereas HCB was inversely related to IgM. There was a higher number of NK cells (CD56+) with increased gamma-HCH concentrations. At higher lead concentrations we saw increased IgE levels. DDE showed the most associations with significant increases in WBC count, in IgE count on basophils, IgE, IgG, and IgA levels. DDE was also found to significantly decrease eosinophilic granula content.ConclusionLow-level exposures to OC and lead (Pb) in children may have immunomodulating effects. The increased IgE levels, IgE count on basophils, and the reduction of eosinophilic granula at higher DDE concentrations showed a most consistent pattern, which could be of clinical importance in the etiology of allergic diseases.

Dataset Information

Blood lead level risk factors and reference value derivation in a cross-sectional study of potentially lead-exposed workers in Iran.

Publications

Blood lead level risk factors and reference value derivation in a cross-sectional study of potentially lead-exposed workers in Iran.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets