Hepatic disorders among workers exposed to cotton dust containing pesticide residues

ABSTRACT

One hundred exposed and fifty control workers in a cotton ginning factory were chosen for this study. All were subjected to a special questionnaire including personal data together with clinical examination. The investigations involved detrmination of liver function parameters, detection of hepatitis markers [B and C], haemagglutination test for schistosomiasis, urine and stool analysis and liver sonography. Environmental study was done for estimation of concentration and pesticide residue contents of cotton dust collected from the factory atmosphere. This study was carried out twice; before and after [1991 - 1992] and before [1992 - 1993] ginning seasons. Subgrouping of studied workers was done according to the presence or absence of schistosomiasis and / or hepatitis markers, or according to sonographic pattern of the liver. The results of environmental study showed a concentration of respirable cotton dust in the atmosphere of different departments higher than the recommended threshold limit value in this industry. In cotton dust, the median measurements of different pesticide residues [organochlorine, organophosphorus, and carbamate] were below their threshold limit values. The study demonstrated a significant increase in SGPT, SGOT, SAP and gamma-GT among exposed than control groups at the end of the ginning season. Other liver functions including total and direct bilirubin, serum albumin and total serum protein showed no significant abnormal changes. Significant increase in SGPT, SGOT, SAP and gamma-GT were found among exposed subgroups when the comparison was done between pre and post seasons in each, or between different subgroups. Subgroup IV [free from schistosomiasis and / or hepatitis] and subgroup A [free from cirrhosis and periportal fibrosis] showed the significantly lowest mean values. The seasonal rest was associated with return to basic pre seasonal values of liver parameters. Moreover, there was a trend of increase in mean values of SGPT, SGOT, SAP and gamma-GT in exposed workers as the duration of exposure or the concentration of pesticide residues increased