Biochemical changes among workers exposed to trichloroethylene at banknotes printing factory

ABSTRACT

Biochemical parameters on blood samples of workers exposed to trichloroethylene [TCE] were measured. Such parameters included serum total protein and its fractions, transaminases [GPT and GOT], alkaline phosphatase, pseudo cholinesterase, zinc and copper. The material of this study consisted of 125 workers, in banknotes printing factory, exposed to concentration of TCE ranged from 108 to 157 ppm with mean duration of exposure being 14.2 +/- 1.46 years. Twenty eight non- exposed clinically free subjects were submitted as a control group. The results showed that serum total protein decreased significantly among the exposed group compared with the control. Total globulins and its simple fractions, except beta-globulin also significantly increased due to TCE exposure. Serum transaminases [GPT and GOT] and serum alkaline phosphatase significantly showed higher values, while pseudo-cholinesterase significantly recorded lower values in the exposed group as compared with the control. Serum zinc showed a significant lower value in the exposed group but serum copper showed higher value than the control group