Changes in Selected Blood Biochemical Components of Industrial Workers Occupationally Exposed to Textile Dyes: A Preliminary Study

Present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chemicals used in textile dyes on the health of occupationally exposed workers. The various blood biochemical parameters of a total of 62 male textile workers (20-45 years of age) involved in the dyeing processes for a period of six months to 20 years and 50 non-industrial workers were compared to assess the health of industrial workers. The levels of acid phosphatase (AP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were found to be low while those of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin were higher in textile industry workers. The changes observed in the blood component did not correlate with the age and job duration. A significant (p less than or equal to 0.05) depletion in ALP and elevation in ALT was recorded in most of the age groups along with alterations in AP, LDH, AST and globulin. On the other hand significant decrease in AP, ALP, LDH and increase in AST was observed in workers involved in the dying processes for 6-10 years. The present study suggests that occupational exposure to textile dyes causes adverse effects on the health of industrial workers, though these effects are not related to the age or duration of exposure.