Biological indicators and lipogram pattern among workers in battery industry

ABSTRACT

The effects of chronic lead exposure on the cardiovascular system were investigated in the workers in the battery industry at Chloride Company. One hundred and ten workers exposed to lead were selected randomly, also 45 workers who have never been exposed to lead before, of comparable age group and socioeconomic standard were selected randomly to be the control group. General clinical examination, cardiovascular manifestations [by an observation sheet], blood pressure determination were carried out and blood lead, urinary delta amino levulenic acid and lipogram pattern [total lipids, cholesterol and its fractions, triglycerides and B/A lipoproteins] were determined. Also lactic acid dehydrogenase and lactic acid isoenzymes estimation were performed. The atmospheric lead concentration was found to be 0.039 - 0.28 ug/m3. The present study showed high prevalence of cardiovascular manifestations [27.3%] and hypertension [35.5%] among exposed workers with significant correlation between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and some parameters of lipogram pattern on one hand with blood lead and urinary delta amino levulenic acid