Hepatic dysfunctions among workers in expansible polystyrene factory

ABSTRACT

In this study, 55 workers in the Expansible Polystyrene [Artificial Cork] Factory in Alexandria constituted the index group and 43 subjects in the Administrative Department of the same factory constituted the control group. All individuals were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations including total and direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP and GGT in serum as well as urinary mandelic acid. In Urinary mandelic acid regression analysis, high serum activity of GGT was significantly associated with exposure to styrene [b = 9.456] and with longer duration of exposure among the exposed workers [b = 0.337]. No significant association was detected between any of the used hepatic tests and history of schistosomiasis among the index group. There were significant direct associations between serum activities of AST and GGT, and urinary mandelic acid in the index group [b = 0.076 and 0.142, respectively]. Pre-employment and annual periodic medical examinations with determination of serum GGT activity and urinary mandelic acid were recommended for workers in the Expansible Polystyrene [Artificial Cork] Factory