Asian Journal of Research in Nephrology

Background: Paint is a blend of standardized constituents specifically binder, additives, pigment and heavy metals, which on application to an exterior as a thin coating is transformed to a solidified film. Increasingly eruption of newly painted buildings is a phenomenon in fast developing Owerri, Nigeria. Despite the toxic nature of some paint constituents, paint worker seems to be ignorant of possible consequence of its occupational exposure on their health, thus blood chemistry and renal function.

Objective: The study was carried out to appraise the serum levels of uric acid, urea, creatinine, potassium and sodium in male paint workers in Owerri, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 80 male subjects aged between 20 to 40 years participated in the study. This consists of 40 male paint workers and 40 male controls. Venous blood samples were collected in plain containers, allowed to clot and retract. It was then centrifuged and the serum separated into plain containers and was used for biochemical analysis. Serum Uric acid, Urea and Creatinine were determined spectrophotometrically, while Potassium and Sodium were determined by flame photometric method. SPSS version 21 was employed in the statistical analysis of the obtained data.

Results: There were significantly higher serum levels of uric acid (4.29 mg/dl versus 3.59±0.80mg/dl, p=0.030), urea (29.10±4.95mg/dl versus 25.40±3.34mg/dl, p=0.003) and creatinine (0.79±0.11mg/dl versus 0.69±0.07mg/dl, p=0.006) in paint workers compared with the controls. There was a significantly lower serum level of sodium (129.50±4.77mEq/L versus 135.80±2.37mEq/L, p=0.000) in male paint workers compared with male controls. While there was no statistical difference in the serum level of potassium (3.43±0.15mEq/L versus 3.44±0.10mEq/L, p=0.832) in male paint workers compared with male controls.

Conclusion: This study shows that uric acid, urea and creatinine are raised while serum sodium is reduced in male paint workers. This may be an indication of the toxic effect of paint constituents on the renal function of exposed male paint workers.