Occupational Exposure to Paints Causes Impairment of Kidney Functions

Abstract

It has been suggested that exposure to organic solvents may have a role in the impairment of kidney function that may progress to kidney failure. However, this has never been evaluated with an appropriate analytical study of the kidney functions of those people who are chronically exposed to these chemicals. This study was designed to measure the kid-ney function of car painters in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Fifty workers were selected at random for this study and compared to thirty male medical students who were taken as a control group. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of kidney function. The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and uric acid were scientifically high-er in the tested group compared to the control group. In addition to this, the levels of these parameters were signifi-cantly higher in the serum of car painters who worked in this industry for more than ten years compared to painters who worked for less than ten years. Moreover, the number of car painters who were not using protective gloves and masks during working hours were 43 and the number of car painters who visited specialized clinics because of kidney problems were 45 of the 50 tested volunteers. These findings support the hypothesized association of solvent exposure with the development of chronic renal failure. They should prompt clinicians to give greater attention to patients' oc-cupational exposures. Routine monitoring of kidney functions and the use of protective materials are of greater impor-tance to minimize the occupational diseases caused by organic solvents.