Effect of Occupational Lead Exposure on Zinc and Chromium Level among Factory Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Lead is an oxidation reduction inactive metal however it interacts with a group of essential elements such as copper, zinc, selenium and chrome and iron. Accordingly current study aims to evaluate the effect of occupational Lead exposure on zinc and chromium level among factory workers. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study included 41 Lead exposure workers and 40 non exposure subjects as control group. Serum chromium and zinc were measured using Atomic Absorption spectroscopy. Results: Independent t-test analysis showed, there was insignificant difference in zinc and chromium concentration of Lead exposure subject in comparison with non exposure (p-value= 0.576 and 0.167) respectively. Person’s correlation analysis showed no correlation observed between zinc and study variables (age and duration), also chromium revealed no correlation with study variables. Conclusion: The study concludes that, occupational Lead exposure have no effect on chromium and zinc level.

Contents

Dedication I

Acknowledgements II

Abstract (English) III

Abstract(Arabic) IV

Content V

List of figures and tables VIII

Chapter one

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Lead toxicity 1

1.2 Zinc 1

1.2.1 Function of zinc in human 2

1.2.2 Zinc absorption 2

1.2.3 Zinc transport 3

1.2.4 Zinc distribution 3

1.2.5 Zinc excretion 3

1.2. 6 Pathology of zinc 4

1.2.6.1 Acute toxicity of zinc 4

1.2 .6. 2 Chronic and sub chronic toxicity of zinc 5

1.1.7 Clinical manifestation of zinc deficiency 5

1.3 Chromium 6

1.3.1 Chromium Function 6

1.3.2 Chromium absorption 7

1.3.3 Chromium Distribution 7

1.3.4 Chromium excretion 7

1.3.5 Transport of chromium 7

1.3.6 Pathology 8

1.3.6.1 Cancer effect 8

1.3.6.2 Non cancer effect 8

1.3.6.3 Deficiency of chromium 8

1.4 Effect of lead on zinc and chromium 8

1.5 Objective 9

1.6 Rationale 10

Chapter two

2.1 Materials 11

2.1.1 Study design 11

2.1.2 Study area 11

2.1.3 Study population 11

2.1.4 Inclusion criteria 11

2.1.5 Exclusion criteria 11

2.1.6 Collection of samples 11

2.1.7 Ethical consideration 12

2.2 Methods 12

2.2.1 Method of lead estimation 12

2.2. 1.1 Principle of atomic absorption spectrophotometer 12

2.2.1.2 Procedure of lead estimation 12

2.2.2 Procedure of zinc estimation 12

2.2.3 Procedure of chromium estimation 12

2.2.4 Data analysis 13

Chapter three

3 Results 14

Chapter four

4 Discussion, conclusion and recommendations 23

4.1 Discussions 23

4.2 Conclusion 25

4.3 Recommendations 25

References

Appendices