Effects of Job categories on Some Biomarkers of Liver Function in Dye Workers in Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

Sub-clinical impairment of synthetic function of the liver of textile dye workers in Abeokuta, Nigeria has been documented, however the effects on the liver of different job categories of dye workers is lacking. We investigated the effect of occupational exposure to vat dyes on liver functions of dye workers in various job categories and compared the effects among all the categories and the control.

Sixty (68) dyers, 27 dye sellers, and 22 handlers of finished products were age and sex matched with controls. Mean plasma levels of total protein, albumin and ALP were significantly lower (p<0.05) while ALT and AST (p<0.05) were significantly higher in the dyers than the control. Similar trend was observed in the levels of albumin, ALP and AST in the handlers of the finished product when compared with the control (p<0.05). In all the categories, levels of ALP were significantly lower than the control (p<0.05). The levels of total protein and albumin were reduced in the dyers than in the sellers (p = 0.013 and 0.005 respectively). Lower mean plasma levels of albumin was observed in the handlers of the finished product than that of the sellers (p= 0.005). Mean plasma level of AST was higher in the handlers of the finished product than that of the sellers p= 0.002. It appears that the dyers were most at risk followed by the handlers of the finished product and the sellers of dyes were the least at risk when considering the altered liver function.