Study on the oxidative stress status among cement plant workers

• Published in: Human & experimental toxicology 2008-06, Vol.27 (6), p.463-469
• Main Authors: Pournourmohammadi, S, Khazaeli, P, Eslamizad, S, Tajvar, A, Mohammadirad, A, Abdollahi, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational - adverse effects; Airborne particulates; Aluminum Compounds - blood; Antioxidants - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Blood tests; Cement industry; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chromium Compounds - blood; Construction Materials - adverse effects; Dust; Female; Human exposure; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation - physiology; Male; Malondialdehyde - blood; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Nitric Oxide - blood; Occupational Diseases - blood; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational health; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Oxidative Stress - physiology; Plant poisons toxicology; Platelet Count; Sulfhydryl Compounds - blood; Toxicology
• ISSN: 0960-3271; 1477-0903
• DOI: 10.1177/0960327108094956

The cement industry is considered as a major pollution problem because of dust and particulate matter emitted at various steps of cement production. In the present study, volunteer male workers from a cement factory were studied for oxidative and nitrosative stress biomarkers in relation to their serum levels of aluminum (Al) and chromium (Cr). The subjects were divided into two groups of direct and indirect exposure. Subject who worked in production steps were considered as direct exposure group, and those who worked in administration building were considered as indirect exposure group. For comparison, healthy subjects at the same age and socioeconomic status were tested as a control group. Serum levels of lipid peroxidation (LP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total thiol molecules (TTM), and nitric oxide (NO) as well as Al and Cr were measured. The results indicated a significant increase in Al (P = 0.001) and Cr (P = 0.009) levels in direct-exposed workers in comparison to healthy control group. Further, a significant increase in Al (P = 0.002) and Cr (P = 0.009) levels was observed in direct-exposed workers as compared to indirect-exposed one. Serum levels of TTM and TAC were significantly lower in both direct- and indirect-exposed groups in comparison to healthy control group (P = 0.00). Serum TTM and TAC were significantly lower in direct-exposed workers as compared to indirect-exposed ones (P = 0.00 and P = 0.024, respectively). There was no significant difference on the level of LP and NO among groups. A correlation was found between serum level of Cr, TAC, and platelets between direct- and indirect-exposed groups (P