Renal and immunological dysfunction in Nickel-Electroplating Workers

ABSTRACT

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