Occupational lead exposure in automobile workers in North Karnataka (India): effect on liver and kidney functions.
We studied liver and kidney function tests of occupational lead exposed Automobile Workers (N = 30), and normal healthy control subjects (N = 30), all 20 to 45 years of age, from Bijapur, North Karnataka (India). Venous blood and random urine samples were collected from both groups. The blood lead [PbB] (364%) and urinary lead [PbU] (176%) levels were significantly increased in automobile workers as compared with the controls. Liver function test parameters, i.e. Serum Aspartate Transaminase [AST] (23.88%), Alanine Transaminase [ALT] (24.03%), Alkaline Phosphatase [ALP] (17.99%), Total Bilirubin (45.83%), and Gamma glutamyl Transferase [GGT] (44.75%) were significantly increased in automobile workers as compared with the control group. Serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and A/ G ratio were not significantly altered in study group as compared with control subjects. In the kidney function tests levels of blood urea (26%), serum uric acid (13.11%) and serum creatinine (12.5%) were significantly increased in automobile workers as compared to control group. Increased PbB values in study group indicate the greater rate of lead absorption and impairment of liver and kidney functions in occupational lead-exposed automobile workers from Bijapur, North Karnataka (India).