Biochemical and Hematological Analysis after Exposure to Hazardous Materials during Shoe Making

The use of organic solvents indoors as well as outdoors causes severe toxic effects on both the occupants and non-occupants. In the present study, effects of shoe polish, organic solvents, and adhesives on the health status of shoe makers in upper d istrict Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan were evaluated. Histories and blood samples were taken from both the exposed and non-exposed people. Blood biochemical parameters and hematological analysis was performed using UV Double Beam Spectrophotometer and Fully Automated Hematology Analyzer SYSMIX (Japan). There was significant increase in blood triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and uric acid level of workers. No effect on blood glucose level was observed in workers as compared to non-exposed control. In shoe making workers, the results for hemoglobin level, total red blood cells count, hematocrit value, mean corpuscular volume, mean cell hemoglobin level, mean cell hemoglobin concentration were normal. There was significant increase in total leukocyte count, lymphocytosis, Eosinophilia and monocyte count in shoe making workers as compared to control. A significant decrease was observed in platelets and neutrophil count of workers when compared to the control group. The results showed an alteration in biochemical parameters and up to some extent in hematological parameters in exposed workers as compared to control. The study suggests that these people are at a higher risk to various health hazards as compared to those who are not exposed to such environment. Concentration of these compounds must be measured so that proper protective measures may be adopted by the workers. Also same study involving a large population size is also recommended to identify other health problems related to exposure to these chemicals.