الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 263 |  |  |
| | | from | 263 | | |
Abstract
This work was conducted in a leather tanning factory (Menoufia governorate) to study health disorders which might arise among workers in that industry.
This study included an exposed group of workers (304) who accepted to participate in the study and a control non exposed group (304) from the worker’s relatives. Both groups were matched for age, sex, residence, marital status, income and educational level.
The exposed and controls were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire about respiratory and skin manifestations. Also, they were examined generally and locally for chest and skin. Spirometric measurements as well as hematological investigations (CBC) and serological investigations (serum iron, serum ferritin, liver and kidney function tests) were carried out for all participants aiming to assess spirometric measurements, hematological and serological changes.
Assessment of chromium level in serum and urine of the workers was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at the National Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt.
Environmental studies were done by General Management of Central Laboratory and Environmental Monitoring, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), Ministry of Environment periodically via air sampling (using gas analyzer from the respiratory zone of the workers), assessment of noise at the level of workers ears (using sound level meter) and measuring heat stress levels (using heat stress meter). Measurement of chromium level in breathing zone of the workers was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
The following results were obtained:
o The environmental measurements in the studied factory were higher than the recommended exposure limit (REL) of NIOSH for chromium air concentration but it was lower than the permissible limit of Egyptian law.
o Urinary and serum chromium levels were significantly higher in the exposed than controls.
o The prevalence of respiratory manifestations (cough, expectoration, wheeze, dyspnea, rhinitis, chronic bronchitis and asthma) and skin manifestations (skin redness, itching, papules and vesicles) was significantly higher among the exposed group than controls.
o Concerning the mean values of spirometric measurements the FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC%, FEF25-75% and PEF% were significantly lower among the exposed group than controls.
o In this study, the presence of lower mean values in RBCs, hemoglobin, serum iron and ferritin levels, were statistically significant in the exposed versus the control group.
o Within the exposed group, the tanning and finishing departments’ workers showed higher prevalence of respiratory and skin manifestations than preparatory one and this may be attributed to the higher chromium level in these departments.
o Within the exposed group, the tanning and finishing departments’ workers showed lower spirometric measurements than preparatory one and the higher chromium level in these departments were blamed to share in these changes.
o Within the exposed group, the tanning and finishing departments’ workers showed lower mean values of RBCs, Hb, serum iron and ferritin than preparatory one.
o Among the exposed workers, a significant positive correlation was found between urinary and serum chromium level in one side and either of air concentration of chromium and duration of employment. Also, a significant negative correlation between urinary and serum chromium level with RBCs, Hb, serum iron and ferritin was observed. So, the hematological and serological changes might be attributed to the higher chromium level.
from the obtained results in this study, pre-employment and periodic medical examination together with investigations should include estimation of spirometric measurements, complete blood picture, liver and kidney function tests in order to pick and exclude affected workers.
Also, this study recommends that the bio-monitoring of the chromium levels in the biological fluids can serve as a useful tool for mitigating the health hazards and risk factors in the exposed workers.
Lowering permissible level of chromium in air to be equal REL of NIOSH is very considerable point. Also, regular using of good quality personal protective equipment especially masks and gloves to decrease chromium exposure are highly recommended.