ABSTRACT
Adult lead poisoning commonly occurs from exposure to lead used in workplace. Lead exposure can cause a wide spectrum of adverse health effects. Its genotoxic effects are still debatable. To measure the adverse effects of lead exposure in printing house on some hematological parameters [red blood cells count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels] of workers, and to investigate its genotoxic effects on their leukocytes. The study was carried out on 40 workers exposed to lead in their work at Menoufiya University printing house, and ten control subjects selected from an area free from lead exposure and matched for age and smoking habit. An ex-post-facto study design was used. An interview questionnaire was used to assess biosocial characteristics, occupational history, and work related symptoms. Blood lead, red blood cells [RBCs], hemoglobin [Hb], and hematocrit levels [Hct] were evaluated. DNA fragmentation assay was used for detection of DNA fragmentation in leukocytes. Lead exposed workers has significantly higher mean blood lead than that controls [p < 0.001], 26.4 +/- 7.1 micro g/dL and 8.7 +/- 4.1 micro g/dL, respectively. Exposed workers has significantly lower mean RBCs [4.7 +/- 0.4], Hct [38.2 +/- 4.2] and Hb [13.9 +/- 0.7], compared to controls 5.2 +/- 0.5, 41.3 +/- 4.1, and 14.6 +/- 1.5, respectively. Statistically significantly higher frequency of symptoms of metallic taste, weight loss, fatigue, lack of memory, visual disturbance, and joint pain were reported by exposed workers, compared to controls. Statistically significant increased mean of optical density of DNA fragments at 200, 400 and 600 base pair of leukocytes of lead exposed workers were also shown, compared to controls. Statistically significant negative correlations were revealed between blood lead, duration of work and RBCs, Hct, and Hb. Statistically significant positive correlations were also revealed between blood lead, duration of work and total mean of optical density of DNA fragments. Occupational lead exposure, with increased blood lead level, is associated with decreased RBCs, Hct, and Hb and increased DNA fragmentation in leukocytes of printing workers. It is also associated with increased frequency of many related reported symptoms. Occupational health sendees are essential to eliminate the hazardous effect of lead exposure