Health profile of workers in the paint industry

In paint manufacture, there is unacceptably high chemical exposure with consequent effects on health. Raw materials used to manufacture paints constitute major chemical hazards to workers as a result of mechanical operations. This study is conducted on a group of workers in a paint industry in an attempt to assess the impact of the paints and coatings on health and on the clinical and laboratory parameters. Due to the high concentration of solvents in this industry, high incidence of renal impairment has been observed. The liver was less affected as evidenced by the serum transaminases level, though these were considered unreliable measures being unrelated to sub-clinical affection. Chest examination revealed the presence of some cases of chronic bronchitis and others with frequent asthmatic attacks. Immunological assessment revealed statistically significant elevation in the serum immunoglobulin E [IgE] among the exposed population. Contrarily, the IgG was not significantly elevated though positively correlating with the IgE level. The paint industry is, therefore, one of the most hazardous industries that need further investigations to keep the levels of toxic dust to minimum and set the precautions to protect the working population

Evaluation and follow up of true and pseudo cholinesterase enzymes in workers exposed to pesticides

This present study was designed to evaluate the level of true and pseudo cholinesterase, establish a baseline or reference level and follow up of the level of enzymes during exposure, in workers applying and formulating anticholinesterase pesticides [organophosphates and carbamates], aiming at designing a comprehensive programming for prevention of pesticide intoxication. This study included thirty four workers exposed to organophosphate and carbamate compounds. Twenty five workers, present in one of the major companies formulating pesticides in, EL Nasr Company for Intermediate chemicals in Abou Rawash, and nine workers, present in the Kalioubia branch of the Agricultural Credit and Developmental Bank. The exposed group was matched with twenty control males with the same average age and socioeconomic status. Both exposed and control subjects were subjected twice to: [1] A questionnaire including present, past and family history. [2] Complete medical and neurological examination. [3] Biochemical analysis including: a -The level of true and pseudo cholinesterase. b - Liver function tests. c - Complete blood picture. Determination of cholinestrase is done by using a new technique [organophosphate kits] in the field using only a drop of blood from the thumb of the exposed workers. [Non invasive]. The study showed a statistically significant difference between the mean and standard deviation of the baseline values of true cholinesterase, also there is a statistically significant depression in both cholinesterases after exposure. The percentage of decrease of true and pseudo cholinesterase from baseline values were 28.06% and 21.61% respectively. The results of liver function tests showed a statistically nonsignificant decrease in the level of proteins and albumin and a statistically significant increase in the level of SGPT and alkaline phosphatase enzymes. Hematological findings revealed a statistically significant decrease in the level of hemoglobin. Identification of high risks population, determination of cholinesterase baseline for all workers before starting exposure, periodic surveillance at least once each season

Pesticides and asthma

In this study we try to prove and evaluate the acute and chronic effects of pesticides on respiratory system among pesticide applicators. They were applicators of different types of pesticides [organophosphates, carbarnates, pyrethroides and or-ganochlorine] living in an Egyptian village [150 Km south to Cairo]. Respiratory symptoms were reported in about 66.5% of the applicators and only in 33.4% of controls [highly significant p < 0.01]. Chest examination revealed that 21.7% of the applicators and 11.4% of the control subjects had respiratory signs. Analysis of the ventilatory function results showed a significant ventilatory defect [p < 0.05] among applicators when compared to the control, these were in the form of obstructive defects [doubled] and restrictive defect [5 folds increase]. The relation between the duration of exposure among applicatos and the ventilatory functions showed that the more they were exposed to pesticides the higher the incidence of ventilatory function changes. The challenge test was done to 38 applicators and 63 control subjects, with 39.5% +ve in applicators and only 17.9% in control, and the result was significant. Also, the serum cortisol level and cholinesterase activity were more depressed among applicators than in controls. We concluded that people with chest problems, especially asthma and COPD, should avoid exposure to pesticides. Challenge test with methacholine should be done as screening test to all applicators before exposure and positive subjects should be excluded

Pesticide residues in milk and dairy products in Egypt

One hundred and thirty samples, fifty of market raw milk and twenty each of Domiati cheese, cooking butter, yoghurt and milk powder including infant foods collected from different markets in Cairo and Giza, were examined and analysed for quantitative and quantitative determination of organochlorine pesticide residues. The results obtained [p.p.b] revealed the following data: nearly all milk samples were contaminated with most of the investigated pesticides. DDT complex was present in a mean value of 36.005 +/- 3.315 p.p.b and total hexachlorhexane with, a mean value of 0.420 +/- 0.119 p.p.b. Results indicated that all samples of analysed cheese were found to be contaminated with one or more of the concerned pesticides. HCH and its isomers also were present with a mean value of 25.697 +/- 4.5 p.p.b. The results of residues levels in cooking butter showed that, HCH and its isomers and DDT and its isomers were detected in all examined samples with mean value of 120.892 +/- 17.710 and 87.159 +/- 12.005 p.p.b. respectively. Data indicated that HCH and its isomers were detected in all samples of yoghurt. DDT and its analogues were detected in 19 samples, with a mean value of 26.447 +/- 4.921 p.p.b. Aldrin and dieldrin could not be detected in any of the examined yoghurt samples. HCH and its isomers were detected in all milk powder samples with a mean value of 20.276 +/- 2.565 p.p.b. DDT complex was detected in 18 samples, with a mean value ot 5.030 +/- 0.951. Endrin was detected in 3 samples, with a mean value of 0.184 +/- 0.038. It is worthly mentioned that dieldrin and aldrin could not be detected in any of the examined milk powder samples. Results obtained showed some loss in the pesticides added to the raw milk due to the effect of heat. The average recovery of p,p -DDT, p,p - DDE and p,p DDD was 83.87, 86.08 and 83.09 p.p.b. respectively. Their mean of degradation percent as a result of pasteurization was 26.15%, 23.15% and 30.05% respectively, while it was 76.97%, 72.60%, and 72.25% due to boiling. The average increase of P,P - DDD due to pasteurization and boiling was 30.05% and 72.25% respectively. The growth and numbers of the examined bacteria was inhibited by lindane and endrin especially at high concentration. We conclude that most of market dairy products exposed for sale in Cairo and Giza proved to be contaminated with different types of pesticide residues, therefore, application of modem quality assurance methods in all analytical work, related to pesticide residues is essential to improve the quality of our dairy products, in addition to enforced legislative control measures. In conclusion, it seems necessary that concerned authorities should impose regulations and take active part in methods of importation, distribution, usage and application of pesticides, to protect our environment and health from the danger of such chemical pollutants

Hepatitis B virus seromarkers among Egyptian pesticide applicators

It is evident that HBV infection is quite prevalent in Egypt and is a public health problem. This study was conducted on a group of pesticide applicators from different Egyptian governorates: 159 Subjects from upper Egypt [South]. 152 Subjects from lower Egypt [North], and 87 Subjects as control. Hepatitis B seromarkers [HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs] were detected by using ELISA technique, besides doing some liver function tests [SGOt, SGPT and S. Cholinesterase]. Abdominal ultrasonography was done for 246 subjects to evaluate thickness of portal tracts [hepatic schistosomiasis] and the other echo pattern of the liver. The frequency of carriers [HBsAg] was 7.4%; immune [antiHBs and anti-HBc] was 51%, remote post exposure [anti-HBs] was 13.8%. and window phase [anti-HBc] was 7.7%.Results showed that both the carrier infection rates increased with age between 20-39 years, however, the rates decreased with ages >40 years. The carrier rate among bilharzial liver cases [57.89%] was higher than in non-bilharzial liver cases [12.11%]. On the other hand, the infection rate was higher in non-bilharzial liver cases [54.64%] than in bilharzial liver cases. The percent of coarse liver pattern [by ECHO] among carriers [10.53%] was higher than that for the non-infected subjects [2.27%]. This denotes the pathological effect of hepatitis B virus on the liver

Auto exhaust pollution [in Cairo] and cardio respiratory disorders

Five hundred and five traffic policemen, busdrivers and garage mechanics from Greater Cairo were examined. Examination included full history taking, clinical examination of heart and chest, electrocardiogaraphic recordings, pulmonary function tests and estimation of blood lead and carboxyhaemoglobin. The results showed that the frequency distribution of chronic non specific respiratory diseases [CNRD] and cardiovascular diseases increase with age, duration of employment and in smokers. Hypertension and ischaemic heart diseases increased significantly with age, for policemen. The same was observed between Ischaemic heart diseases and duration of employment, in policemen also. A directly proportional relation was found between ischaemic heart diseases and carboxyhaemoglobin levels; the same was found between hypertension and blood lead levels. The results of ventilatory function tests showed that FVC% was unaffected; while FEV1% was reduced in the examined group. There was also a directly proportional relation of blood lead levels with duration of employment as well as carboxyhaemoglobin levels with both duration of employment and smoking. Smoking proved to play an important role in development and frequency distribution of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders; ii also influenced carboxyhaemoglobin levels. Policemen group was the most affected, if compared to drivers and mechanics in all the studied parameters

Effects of occupational exposure to methoxypsoralens [meladenin] in pharmaceutical industry

Methoxypsoralens [Meladenin] are the active ingredients of Ammi Majus Lina plant. These compounds increase the capacity of the skin to tan. Occupational exposure to such compounds occurs among workers during the extraction and manufacture of such materials. Forty workers involved in such industry were subjected to medical history taking, complete medical examination and full dermatological assessment. Results showed that workers complained from one or more symptom. The main manifestations were skin hyperpigmentation of the exposed areas [97.5%] and pruritus [47.5%], while in the control group the figures were 0% and 6.7% respectively. Chest symptoms and signs were also prevalent among exposed workers. Psoralens cause skin to be hypersensitive to light [photosensitivity] and hyperpigmentation is the result of exposure to vapour or dust of such materials which act most probably, topically on the skin. No case of skin cancer was seen among such group which may draw the attention to the possibility of the proactive effect of psoralens against ultra-violet induced carcinogenesis. The increased incidence of chest signs and symptoms may be due to exposure to dust or fumes during the different processes of manufacture of meladenin. The question whether this occupatinal hyperpigmentation is to be compensated or not has to be raised. Recommendations were given

Neuropsychiatric and haematologic manifestations in workers occupationally exposed to lead [Pb], mercury [Hg] and trinitrotoluene [TNT]

One hundred and four exposed workers to Pb, Hg and TNT in explosives industry and fifty non-exposed workers were subjected to this study. Environmental analysis for the level of atmospheric Pb concentration in workplace is double [280 ug/m] the TWA level. The Pb-B level of exposed workers ranged between 30.2 to 74.6 ug% [mean 43.14 +/- 10.14] and for the nonexposed between 15 to 35.5 ug% [mean 22.51 +/- 7.19]. More than 3/4 [78.8%] of exposed workers presented with more than one neuropsychiatric symptom in comparison to 16% among the non-exposed group. Numbness [60.5%], impotence [45.1%], muscle weakness [36.5%] and headache [15.4%] were the main symptoms of exposed workers. Neuropsychiatric signs were manifested among 71.2% of exposed and 10% among non-exposed workers. The main signs were peripheral neuritis, muscle weakness and mental changes. EEG tracing and fundus examination were normal for exposed and non-exposed workers. Haemoglobin concentration and RBCs and WBCs counts were significantly decreased among exposed workers