ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION IN WORKERS OCCUPATIONALLY EXPOSED TO CEMENT DUST

ABSTRACT

Many researches have suggested links between breathing in cement dust, long-term lung dysfunction, and respiratory disorders. Aluminum (AL), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), and silicon (Si) occupational exposures have been linked to lower lung function indicators as well as harmful inflammatory responses in exposed workers. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of renal function in workers occupationally exposed to cement dust in Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. Informed consent was obtained from the participants before collection of data and samples. The participants of this study were all adults (male) within the age range of 21-50 years and were recruited in Benin City. Collections of samples were from workers in three different categories with high degree of contact with cement dust (factory workers, distributors and bricklayers). Urea and Creatinine levels were assessed in the serum samples of exposed workers (n=40 for each occupational group) and in age matched unexposed participants (n=40) using spectrophotometric technique. Also, serum levels of electrolytes were assessed using flame photometric technique. It was observed that mean serum levels of sodium (139.43 ± 0.67mmol/L), potassium (4.65 ± 0.11mmol/L) and chlorine (105.22 ± 0.46mmol/L) among the factory workers were significantly (p<0.05) elevated compared to the unexposed participants (136.83 ± 0.26 mmol/L, 4.28 ± 0.08 mmol/L and 103.90 ± 0.23mmol/L). Urea (39.98 ± 3.21 mg/dL) and creatinine (1.04 ± 0.09 mg/dL) showed significant (p<0.001) increase in factory workers when compared to unexposed participants (24.80 ± 1.34 mg/dL and 0.79 ± 0.03 mg/dL). Chloride in factory workers (105.22 ± 0.46 mmol/L) also showed significant increase (p=0.012) when compared to the unexposed participants (103.90 ± 0.23 mmol/L). Among the distributors, sodium (138.7 ± 0.39) and Urea (32.27 ± 1.25) showed significant (p<0.0001) increase when compared to unexposed participants (136.83 ± 0.26 and 24.80 ± 1.34). Bicarbonate decreased significantly in distributors (20.32 ± 0.24) when compared to unexposed persons (21.15 ± 0.23). Bricklayers demonstrated a significant increase (p<0.0001) in sodium (140.42 ± 0.62), urea (41.12 ± 1.32) and creatinine (0.97 ± 0.04) when compared to unexposed participants (136.83 ± 0.26, 24.80 ± 1.34 and 0.79 ± 0.03). C-reactive protein was significantly higher (p<0.05) in all the three categories when compared to unexposed participants. This study showed that exposure to cement particles cause significant increase in electrolyte, urea, creatinine and C - reactive protein. Particularly, significant increase in C-reactive protein could be as a result of excessive exposure to cement dust which could lead to impaired renal function with inflammation.