Liver and kidney function tests amongst paint factory workers in Nkpor, Nigeria.

Lead, cadmium, nickel and other industrial metals used as part of paint varnishes have been reported to have adverse health implications. An evaluation study on some toxicological effects of occupational exposure to paint, among 25 occupationally exposed artisans and 25 students (control) of Ichi Technical College, Ichi Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria was carried out. Heavy metals were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and standard assay procedures were employed for biochemical parameters. The biochemical indices used include serum electrolytes urea, creatinine, alanine (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), conjugated and total bilirubin. Others include blood lead, serum cadmium and nickel. Our results showed that occupational exposure of humans to paints increased the blood lead (39 +/- 4 microg/dL), serum cadmium (13 +/- 1 microg/dL) and nickel (63 +/- 1 microg/dL), when compared with non-paint factory workers (PFW) lead (17 +/- 4 microg/dL), serum cadmium (9 +/- microg/dL) and nickel (25 +/- 44 microg/dL), significantly at P < 0.05 lower values were observed for serum sodium (138.96 +/- 0.58 mmol/L), bicarbonate (26.88 +/- 0.39 mmol/L), urea (3.15 +/- 0.13 mmol/L) and creatinine (80.48 +/- 1.04 micromol/L) for paints factory workers when compared with non-paint factory workers, sodium (139.84 +/- 0.62 mmol/L), bicarbonate (26.20 +/- 0.22 mmol/L), urea (3.44 +/- 0.11 mmol/L) and creatinine (80.40 +/- 1.55 micromol/L); at P > 0.05. The activities of AST (10.36 +/- 0.58 micro/L), ALT(8.76 +/- 0.47 micro/L) and ALP (47.12 +/- 3.33 micro/L) in PFW were slightly elevated compared with non-PFW. Our result indicates that occupational exposure of humans to heavy metals in paints may have long term deleterious effects on liver and renal functions. In conclusion, it should be noted that occupational exposure to cadmium or lead among PFW, may compromise the liver and renal functions in man.

Lead and cadmium exposures from canned and non-canned beverages in Nigeria: a public health concern.

The lead and cadmium levels of canned and non-canned foods purchased in Nigeria were studied. Fifty samples of these beverages were digested in nitric acid and were analyzed using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The cadmium levels ranged from 0.003-0.081 mg/L for the canned and 0.006-0.071 mg/L for non-canned beverages. About 85.71% of the canned beverages had cadmium levels that exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.005 mg/L set by US EPA while 82.7% non-canned beverages had cadmium levels exceeding the MCL. The mean and median levels of cadmium exceeded the MCL in both the canned and non-canned beverages. Whereas only 79.3% of the non-canned beverages showed lead levels that exceeded the US EPA's MCL of 0.015 mg/L, 100% of the canned beverages had lead levels that were greater than the MCL. The range of the lead in the canned beverages was 0.002-0.0073 and 0.001-0.092 mg/L for the non-canned beverages. The mean and median values of lead exceeded the MCL in both the canned and non-canned beverages. The calculated amount of lead and cadmium in three beverages were 0.204 mg (204 microg) and 0.177 mg (177 microg), respectively. These represent the estimated intake of a consumer who takes three of the products selected randomly in a week; assuming an average volume of one liter (1 L) for each product. Taken together 86% and 84% of the 50 beverages (canned and non-canned) studied in March, 2005 in Nigeria failed to meet the US EPA criteria for acceptable lead and cadmium levels in consumer products.