White blood cell counts in lead exposed male workers in a metal powder producing factory in kayseri, Turkey

ABSTRACT

The effects of lead on white blood cells [WBC] were studied in lead exposed male workers occupied for 17.84 +/- 4.22 years in metal powder producing factory in Kayseri, Turkey and control male workers randomly selected at a sugar refinery factory in same city. Blood lead and plasma zinc levels were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectorphotometry [AAS] and total WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils and MID [monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils] counts in lead exposed male workers and control subjects determined by Coulter Counter. The lead exposure workers had higher lead levels [18.81 +/- 9.21 micro g/dl] as compared to control subjects [2.37 +/- 0.10 micro g/dl]. The mean plasma zinc concentration was 1.12 +/- 0.49 mg/l in control groups. There was not a statistically significantly significant different between both groups with regard to plasma zinc levels. When comparing the parameters of the two groups, they were significantly different except MID. Although the chronic exposure to lead does not alter white cell counts, the animal studies have showed that chronic exposure to lead affects immunological responsiveness. We plan further studies to determine immune alterations [such as peripheral blood lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulins, some complement protein concentrations] in these workers, on order to see whether in human beings chronic exposure to lead, may be detrimental to the immune system