Assessment of the relationship between blood lead levels and hematological parameters among lead acid - storage battery plant workers

Abstract

Ravibabu Kalahasthi, Tapu Barman, Hirehal Raghavendra Rao

The present study investigated the relationship between blood -lead levels and hematological parameters and urinary-δ -ALA levels in 391 male lead acid–storage battery plant workers. Blood lead levels (BLL) done by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Hematological parameters were done by using the ABX Micros ES -60 hematology analyzer. The reticulocyte counts in subjects were done by using the supra-vital staining method. Urinary-δ -ALA levels were determined by using spectrophotometric method. The levels of BLL (p<0.0001) and urine –δ-ALA (p<0.0001) were considerably increased in the high lead exposed workers as compared to low lead exposed workers. The reticulocyte counts and urinary-δ -ALA were positively and significantly associated with lead in blood of subjects with > 30μg/dL. The present study suggests that levels of reticulocyte count and urinary-δ -ALA could be used as bio-markers to control the occupational exposure of lead.