Assessment of liver function among nickel-plating workers in Egypt

Currently no reports are available from Egypt regarding occupational exposure to nickel and its effects on the liver. The aim of this study was to assess the liver function of workers occupationally exposed to nickel. Standard liver function tests were applied to blood samples from 25 nickel-plating workers in Damietta, Egypt and 30 administrative workers as a reference group. Levels of urine nickel, measured by inductively coupling plasma-emission spectroscopy, were significantly higher in nickel-exposed workers compared with the reference group. The levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher in nickel-exposed workers. The level of serum albumin was significantly negatively correlated and the levels of serum aminotransferases, and serum gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase were significantly positively correlated with urine nickel levels. Liver function is compromised in nickel-plating workers compared with non-exposed administrative workers

Nivel de níquel urinario en niños residentes en ciudades cercanas a megafuentes / Urinary nickel in children exposed to petcoke pollution

Background: Petcoke is a remmant of the oil refiningprocess that contains Ni and other heavy metáis. Undesired human exposure to these compounds may result from petcoke combustión in plants located in the vicinity ofthe cities. Aim: To compare levéis of urinary Ni in schoolchildren residing in cities exposed and not exposed to petcoke pollution. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was done in schoolchildren aged 7 to 8 years oíd in two cities in northern Chile: Mejillones (n = 59), near to a petcoke plant and Tocopilla (n = 56) as the reference city. First, morning urinary samples were collected and urinary Ni was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Socioeconomic and environmental exposure information of families was obtained applying a questionnaire to parents. Múltiple linear regression was performed to identify other variables that may explain urinary Ni differences among the cities. Results: Median level of Ni was higher in Mejillones (4.9 fig/L) than in Tocopilla (3.9 fig/L). Residing in the exposed city was the most important explaining factor (B = 0.26; IC 0.107 - 0.428). Additionally years of residency was associated with urinary Ni (B = 0.03; IC 0.004 - 0.060). Conclusions: Urinary Ni in schoolchildren is higher in the city exposed to petcoke emissions. The difference does not imply that there are concrete hazards for the population s health. However, it warns about the existence of a higher exposure in places where petcoke is used.

Liver functions of workers occupationally exposed to soluble nickel compounds

The present study investigates the liver functions among workers exposed to nickel during nickel-plating process. The liver functions were assessed in 57 workers who are exposed to nickel during nickel plating and considered as nickel-exposed workers; and 48 unexposed workers from administrative department away from the place of work of study group, were considered as control group. workers with a known history of liver disease, blood transfusions and diabetes mellitus were excluded of the study. The level of urine nickel was measured by using a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer, we determined serum markers of liver function tests. urine nickel levels were significantly increased in high-and moderate-exposure groups as compared to unexposed group. The levels of serum transaminases -viz, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase were significantly increased in nickel-exposed workers, who had high urine nickel levels as compared to unexposed group. The level of serum albumin was negatively correlated with urine nickel levels. The levels of serum transaminases and serum y- glutamyl- transpeptidase were positively and significantly correlated with urine nickel levels in exposed group. Results indicate that workers who had high urine nickel levels >10 micro g/g of creatinine, had a consistent effect on hepatocellular function

Renal and immunological dysfunction in Nickel-Electroplating Workers

Electroplating processes result in the emission of aerosoles of soluble nickel compounds. In our work we investigated health hazards associated with such exposure in a nickel-electroplating workshop. We examined the results of 50 male workers exposed to soluble nickel compounds and the results were compared to those obtained from 14 matched controls. Serum urea, creatinine and retinol binding protein were statistically significantly higher in exposed workers compared to the controls. Low levels of IgA and high levels of IgE were reported among our exposed workers. Reduction of spirometric measurements but not to the level of significance, was also demonstrated. The concentration of nickel in urine of workers averaged [2.9 Ug/L] and in serum averaged [3.4 Ug/L]. Statistically significantly positive correlation was found between serum levels of urea, creatinine, retinol binding protein and IgE and serum and urinary nickel of exposed workers

Reaçöes aos metais utilizados em ortodontia / Hypersensibility to orthodontic metals appliance

Estudo clínico e experimental da incidência de hipersensibilidade a metais dos aparelhos ortodônticos e das consequências morfológicas da absorçäo do níquel. Realizaram-se testes de contato, antes e dois meses após a colocaçäo de aparelhos, em 38 pacientes, utilizando-se como antígenos o cloreto e cobalto, sulfato de cobre, bicromato de potássio, sulfato de ferro, cloreto de manganês, sal de molibdênio, sulfato de níquel e óxido de titânio. Concluiu-se que: manganês, cromo e níquel apresentaram positividade, estatisticamente significativa, com prevalência de 21,1 por cento para os dois últimos matais. Näo houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no resultado do teste de contato em relaçäo ao sexo e ao aparelho (antes ou depois). Avaliou-se, através de espectroscopia de absorçäo atômica, a quantidade de níquel na urina de 21 pacientes, nestes dois momentos, constatando-se aumento da mesma após a montagem do aparelho, näo havendo diferença estatística entre os sexos. A avaliaçäo experimental foi realizada em 26 camundongos (Swiss webster), divididos em dois grupos controle (C14 e C45) e dois grupos níquel (N14 e N15), que receberam aplicaçäo subcutânea de sulfato de níquel, sendo sacrificados após 15 e 46 dias. Constatou-se, no grupo experimental, aumento de peso total e de alguns órgäos, lesäo microscópica em órgäos hematopoiéticos, coraçäo, fígado e rins, mais evidente em N45. Nefrotoxicidade foi evidenciada por modificaçäo no padräo de ligaçäo às lectinas. No fígado, a análise estereológica demonstrou aumento do volume dos hepatócitos e de seus núcleos. Näo se dectou quantidades mensuráveis de níquel ao micrscópio eletrônico de varredura com raios X por energia dispersa (EDS)

Limites biológicos em higiene e medicina do trabalho

O controle biológico de trabalhadores expostos a agentes químicos agressivos coloca o médico do trabalho frente a uma série de problemas conjunturais e estruturais de difícil soluçäo. A partir de pesquisa onde foram analisadas urina de 58 soldadores para determinaçäo de concentraçäo de Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Cr, Ni säo discutidas as dificuldades da execuçäo deste controle, incluindo aspectos ambientais. Conclui-se pela importância das avaliaçöes biológicas, mas ressaltando a prioridade para as medidas ambientais de controle dos agentes químicos