Abstract

CARDIAC RISK FACTOR IN RELATION TO LEAD LEVEL AMONG SUDANESE WORKERS IN GASOLINE STATIONS

Hafsa Kamal Eldein Ahmed Hussin and Abdelmula Mohamed Abdalla*

ABSTRACT

Background: Occupational lead exposure is one of the major public health problems, no previous publishd research was conducted on lead exposure gasoline station workers in khratoum state. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the blood lead level in relation to cardiac risk factors among Sudanese Workers in gasoline Stations in Khartoum state. Materials and Methods: This is a comparative case control study that was carried in Khartoum state, 50 controlled gasoline station worker (case group) exposed to lead though filling of cars with gasoline in addition to 50 healthy volunteer age and sex matched as control group. The lipid panel were measured by Mindary (BS-200 chemistry analyzer), and lood lead levels (pb) were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer, data obtained analyzed via statistical pakage of social version 22. Result: the level of lead element was significantly higher in gasoline station workers (1.03±0.316 mg/L) when compared to non exposed subjects (0.001±0.0030 mg/L) (p= 0.000). Furthermore the study observed that triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL were significantly increased(154.16±17.7 mg/dl versus 92.54±26.54 mg/dl, p = 0.000), (208.98±12.84 mg/dl versus 125.72±22.04 mg/dl p= 0.000), (152.84± 21.756 mg/dl versus 70.30±12.963 mg/dl p= 0.000) respectively. whereas HDL level is significantly decreased in exposed subjects when compared with nonexposed control group. Plasma lead level is significantly positively correlated with DBP and duration of exposure(R= 0.440, p= 0.001. R=0.350, p = 0.03) respectively. Farthermore plasma lead level showed insignificant correlation with lipid panel and the study subjects age p ≥ 0.05. Also the study recorded that triglyceride and cholesterol were insignificantly correlated with exposed subjects age p ≥ 0.05. In contrast exposed subjects age is significantly positively correlated with LDL R= 0.36, p= 0.01, and significantly inversely correlated with HDL (R-0.44, p =.002). Conclusion: our data suggests that occupationally lead exposed is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: lipid panel, lead element, cardiovascular disease, gasoline workers.