Objective To study the liver toxicity induced by occupational lead exposure; to analyze the relationship between blood lead level and indexes for hepatotoxicity; and looking for the early sensitive indexes of hepatotoxicity.
Methods Total of 108 workers exposed to lead in a battery factory were selected as subjects and 76 non-lead-exposed workers in the same factory as control. The lead concentration in workshop was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), blood lead was measured with graphite vessel AAS, and seral alanine aminotransferase (ALT)and total bilirubin (TBIL)as the effect indexes of hepatotoxicity were determined, then the relationship between level of lead concentration and liver function indexes was analyzed.
Results ① The lead fume and dust concentrations in workshop were 0.89 mg/m3 and 0.25 mg/m3 respectively; and the rates exceeded National Standard were 50.00% and 60.00%, resprctively. ② There were no significant increase in ALT and TBIL level with the increase of air lead concentration. ③ Blood lead concentration of the exposed groups, either exceeded limit or below the standard limit, were higher that control group significantly (P < 0.01). The rate of over-limit group was 31.03%. ④ There were no significant changes of the ALT and TBIL levels with the prolongation of lead exposure. ⑤ There were no significant relationship between blood lead and the seral level of ALT and TBIL.
Conclusion Occupational lead exposure caused elevation of blood lead concentration, however, seral ALT and TBIL were not the sensitive effect indexes for hepatotoxicity among these exposed workers.
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