Occupational lead exposure and liver functions in battery manufacture workers around Kolhapur (Maharashtra)

The magnitude of occupational lead exposure and its impact on liver functions was assessed in battery manufacture workers around Kolhapur (Maharashtra). Blood lead, urine lead, erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin, urine �-amino laevulinic acid and porphobilinogen levels were measured together with standard routine biochemical tests of liver functions in battery manufacture workers along with non-exposed controls subjects. Blood lead levels were considerably high in the workers (53.63 ± 16.98; range 25.8 – 78 �g/dl) compared to the controls (12.52 ± 4.08; range 2.8 – 22 �g/dl). The liver functions in these workers were normal, demonstrating preservation of hepatocellular and synthetic functions of liver. There was good correlation (r = 0.67) between blood lead and urinary �-amino laevulinic acid levels in the worker group and no such correlation was observed in case of the control group (r = 0.02). The results indicates that early screening and regular monitoring of industrial workers by urinary �-amino laevulinic acid levels is urgently needed to prevent long term adverse effects of lead exposure.