Burton's Line on the Gum Seen in Lead Poisoning Among Petroleum Refinery Workers in Kirkuk City, Iraq: A Case Series.

Lead poisoning is a serious occupational health risk, especially for those who work in fields where lead-containing products are frequently exposed, including petroleum refining. Three cases of lead poisoning among employees of the petroleum refinery in Kirkuk City, Iraq, have been presented in this case series, emphasizing the clinical significance of Burton's line (blue-purplish line or gingival pigmentation) on the gums as an indication of lead toxicity. Patients presented with typical gingival margin darkening along with symptoms like fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain, and neurological impairments. Subsequent laboratory analysis confirmed that all three patients had increased blood lead levels, which ranged from 30 to 43 µg/dL (normal range <10 µg/dL). In the process of refining petroleum, lead can be inhaled, ingested, or come into direct touch with lead-containing items. Burton's line identification is essential for prompt diagnosis and intervention. This case series highlights the importance of taking preventative action to lessen the risks of lead exposure and protect the well-being and safety of employees of petroleum refineries. Healthcare providers should be vigilant, and strict safety protocols, worker education, and regular monitoring are all essential.

Relationship between exposure to Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) magnetic field and the level of some reproductive hormones among power plant workers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Today, human beings are exposed to the ELF magnetic field of electrical equipment and power lines, which can damage Leydig cells and alter the secretion of reproductive hormones. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between exposure to ELF magnetic field and the level of some reproductive hormones in male power plant workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study was carried out among all male employees of different units of the selected power plant around Tehran, Iran. All participants were asked to complete demographic data sheets and General Health questionnaire, on condition of consent and meeting the inclusion criteria. Time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to magnetic field of 122 men was measured by IEEE Std C95.3.1 method using TES 1393 Gauss meter. Based on the exposure level, subjects were divided into three groups. Serum Levels of Free Testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in participants were determined. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and the relationships between variables were assessed by linear regression and correlation using SPSS v.25 software. RESULTS: There was no significant statistical correlation between the level of ELF exposure and serum levels of free testosterone, LH, and FSH, (r = 0.158). Serum levels of LH decreased significantly with age and duration of work experience (P < .05, r = -.25, P = .005, r = -.203, P = .025). CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between exposure to magnetic field in power plants and reproductive hormone levels, although it is impossible to make definitive comments without using more accurate methods to estimate male fertility.

Assessment of Semen Quality among Workers Exposed to Heat Stress: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Steel Industry.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the heat stress and semen quality among male workers in a steel industry in Iran and investigate the relationship between heat stress indices and semen parameters. METHODS: The study was conducted on workers exposed (n = 30) and unexposed (n = 14) to heat in a steel industry. After obtaining a brief biography of the selected employees, scrotal temperature, oral temperature, and environmental parameters were measured, and their semen samples were analyzed according to the procedure recommended by the World Health Organization. The heat stress indices, including wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and predicted heat strain (PHS), in their workplace were calculated according to environmental parameters (ISO 7243:1989 and 7933:2004, respectively). RESULTS: Time-weighted averages of WBGT and PHS (35.76°C and 491.56 w/m2wm2 , respectively) for the exposed group were higher than threshold limit values. The mean difference of environmental, physiological, and semen parameters (exception: pH of semen), and also WBGT and PHS indices were statistically significant (p < 0.05) between the two groups. Mean semen parameters were in the normozoospermic range. WBGT and PHS indices showed significantly "negative" correlation with physiological parameters (scrotal and oral temperature) and most semen parameters (semen volume, sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count; p < 0.05); moreover, the correlation of WBGT with these parameters was stronger than PHS. CONCLUSION: Semen parameters of the studied workers exposed to heat were in the borderline level of normozoospermic range, and their semen parameters were significantly lower than controls. For better assessment of occupational environment concerning physiological and semen parameters in steel industries, WBGT can be a more useful index.