Hematological changes among workers of combined chemical exposure

ABSTRACT

The present study had been conducted in two plants, the first was manufacturing artificial fibers and the second plant was manufacturing lead batteries, both located in Alexandria and its surroundings. The objective of this study is to elucidate the effect of combined exposure to Cs [2]and pb on some hematological parameters of exposed workers. Examined subjects included rayon spinners [n=118], spinning tank welders [n=90] and workers of lead batteries [n=88], and a control group [n=91]. Each worker [and control subject] was intereviewed for his personal, occupational, past and present histories with special emphasis on liver, blood disease, parasitic infections and drug intake. This was followed by through clinical examination. Fasting blood samples were collected from hematological investigations and for determination of lead in blood; spot urine samples were collected both before and after shift for the evaluation of Cs[2] metabolites by the modified iodine azide test. The present study revealed that combined exposure to Cs[2] and pb yielded the following types of effects additive for RBCs, WBCs and MCHC; antagonistic for hemoglobin, eosinophils and bleeding time and independent for the rest of the hematological parameters. It can be concluded that when CS[2] and pb are combined, they behave in a different manner from that they do separately; however, further investigations are needed to clarify the mechanism of such interaction.