ملخص
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the exposure of lead (Pb) to some workers in Ash-Shoula lead acid battery Factory, Tajoura, Libya on the basis of concentrations of Pb in blood, hair, and nails. This study was done to explain, if accumulation of Pb could affect the concentration of essential liver enzymes, renal excretion, and some of hematological parameters. Study samples were based on, the number of years of work in battery manufactory, six work periods were constituted (< 5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, 21-25, >25 years). Workers were selected from seven different departments of the battery manufactory. Pb concentration in the collected samples were measured by using atomic absorption Spectroscopy. The statistical analysis were performed using SPSS software, version 20. The parametric tests (one-way ANOVA, t-test, and 2-tailed person Correlations) where P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.Blood lead level was found high ranging from 9.9-60.3 μg/dl with a mean of 25.3 μg/dl and was found to be less in control group, ranging from 2.5-24.6 μg/dl with a mean of 11.8 μg/dl. The values of hair lead level were found to be ranging from 8.2-36.8 μg/g, with a mean of 21.1 μg/g and this was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05), in whom the values ranged from 2.4-12.2 μg/g, with a mean of 7.3 μg/g. Nail lead level in the study group was found to be ranging from 6.0-40.1 μg/g, with a mean of 20.6 μg/g and this was again significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05), in whom the values ranged from 1.8-9.7 μg/g, with a mean of 4.9 μg/g. It was also observed that an increase in Pb concentration in hair and nails caused a decrease in SGOT, bilirubin and creatinine and changed the ratio of complete blood count. To evaluate the acute effect of lead acetate on the function of liver, kidney and complete blood count, fifty male albino mice were given different doses of lead acetate (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, i.p., daily) for four weeks. Blood was collected and used for all analysis.The results showed that, the injection of Pb induced significant increase in SGPT and SGOT activity. Also, urea, alkaline phosphates and bilirubin were significantly increased. In case of blood picture, lead acetate injection reduced the contents of hemoglobin and RBCs count of intoxicated mice's blood and WBCs count were increased in the fifth group (treated with 200 mg/kg of lead acetate). It can be concluded that lead has harmful effect on human and experimental male albino mice. Therefore, the present work advises people to prevent exposure to the lead compound to avoid injurious hazard risk.