ABSTRACT

Exposures to biological and chemical hazards in workplace often have health implications. Occupational toxicity is the application of methodology and principles of toxicology to these biological and chemical hazards that some professionals encounter or are exposed to at their places of work. Automobile repairers are artisans that are regularly exposed to heavy metals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal contents and some biochemical parameters in the serum of automobile repairers in Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State.

A total of 45 automobile repairers consisting of motor mechanics (n=27), panel beaters (n=7), automobile electricians (n=2) and others (n=9), from various auto repair workshops in Egor LGA participated in the screening. The concentration of lead, mercury, arsenic, copper, and iron was estimated in sera from the subjects using an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Commercial kits were used to assay aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). All data were compared with reference clinical values for adult humans.

The mean concentration of lead was elevated in 93.5% of the subjects but the mean concentrations of mercury, arsenic, iron, and copper were within normal range. Approximately 91%, 87%, 84%, 98%, and 98% of the automobile repairers had normal levels of ALT, AST, ALP, albumin, and globulin respectively. The elevated levels of lead did not have any significant effect on liver function. Approximately 62% of the subjects had normal levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Of the 45 participants, 78% had low levels of HDL-C and 67% had high levels of LDL-C. It is concluded that the lead concentration of automobile repairers in Egor LGA is higher than normal although it did not reflect as yet in the biochemical parameters. There is the need for training on occupational safety practices for automobile repairers in the LGA.