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AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │ March 2015 ISSN: 2392 – 876X Available online at: www.researchthoughts.us Impact Factor: 2.0178 (UIF) EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS Sami Ullah1, Ayaz Ali Khan2, Kalsoom Ul Haq1, Ghulam Nabi3i Department of Zoology, University of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 1 Department of Biotechnology, University of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 2 Neuro-Endocrinology Lab, Department of Animal Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, 3 Islamabad, Pakistan Abstract: Brick making is a predominantly rural industry. The burning of fuel for firing bricks results in emissions of gaseous pollutants and ash into the environment. In present study, ill effects of these toxicants on the health status of brick kiln occupants were studied. Blood samples along with histories were taken from brick kiln occupant and control people living in the same locality but are not frequently exposed to brick kiln dust and smoke. Sysmex KX-21 (Japan) and Shimadzu Double Beam Spectrometer 1700 Pharma (Japan) were used for blood profiling and blood biochemistry. In workers, the blood cholesterol level was 204±6.2 mg/dl, triglyceride 203±4.94 mg/dl, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) was 53±1.7 U/L, and glucose was 176±1.8 mg/dl. Complete blood count was also performed for both the workers and control group. In workers, the total red blood cells count was 3.7±0.56 mil/cmm, total leucocytes count 7097±1004/cmm, hemoglobin level 13±1.5 gm/dl, hematocrit 39±3.9 %, mean corpuscular volume 81±3.6 fl, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration 29±2.5 %, neutrophil count 65.2±4.3 %, lymphocyte 50±4.2 %, and platelets count was 245600±41500/cmm. The results of the control were in normal reference range. The results showed that there was significant increase in blood biochemical parameters as well as decrease in complete blood count in the people who were exposed to brick kiln smoke, dust and heat. The result suggests that these workers are at more risk to chronic bronchitis, decreased lung function, asthma, pharyngitis, and fibrosis. Key Words: Brick kiln smoke, Complete blood count, Cholesterol, Triglyceride, Glucose. i *Corresponding Author: ghulamnabiqau@gmail.com 1511 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS 1. INTRODUCTION Brick manufacturing plant uses many different raw materials and produces many intermediates by-products and products. Hazardous dust is one of the most important exposures in brick kiln workers. There are only few published studies on the respiratory health of brick kiln workers and these have showed that chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function values are associated with atmospheric pollution, especially in the firing and unloading section (Huang and Meng, 2000; Myers et al., 2006; Alam and Starr, 2009). Brick is a very important building material for a developing country (Mitha et al., 1989).The brick kiln industry is the largest producer in the world, has more than 73,000 operating units, producing about 900 billion sintered bricks annually, among which about 50% are fired clay bricks (Wang et al., 2010). The brick kiln emits huge quantity of toxic elements causing serious health hazards. Emission from brick kilns comprises of fine dust particles, hydrocarbons, Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), Fluoride compounds, Carbon Monoxide (CO) and small amount of carcinogenic dioxins if rubber tires are used as fuel. Studies showed that inhalation of even relatively low concentrations of fine particles could affect lung function and lead to increases in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases (Joshi and Dudani, 2008). Pakistan, like many developing countries in the world has no comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety Laws. The incidents of injuries, illness is very high in Pakistan as thousands of workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals and fumes in industry (Ambreen, 2012). The brick kiln sector emits the huge quantity of toxic gases (Iqbal, 2006). Brick workers are exposed to the sun for long hours and exposed to the high concentration of dust. There is also risk of exposure to the dust and open coal during manual coal feeding. The workers have to walk on hot surface while monitoring and regulating the fire (Monga et al., 2012). These main chemical components are (SiO2), (Al2O3),(Fe2O3). Work exposure to the high temperature and the high density dust and particulate matter over a long time can result in occupational health problems e.g. lung cancer (Myers et al., 2006). In Pakistan due to a number of factors, such as inadequate medical facilities, illiterate workforce and deficiency of reliable data about productivity and economic prosperity the health in workers are affected negatively (Pasha, 2003). According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) recent estimates, 160-270 million workers suffer from occupational diseases of accidents every year (Ambreen, 2012). The increased bondage in brick kiln industry for work up to 12-14 1512 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS hours a day is due to employment on flat rate basis, for the number of bricks produced only and not any wages during illness or injury. A group of professional is affected with chronic illnesses, black cough and T.B infections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (HRW, 1995). Brick kiln workers are affected with chronic bronchitis with occupational exposures to dust and smoke. Possible explanation for these high frequencies of respiratory symptom in brick kiln workers is higher exposure to air pollutants (Neghab and Choobineh, 2007). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of brick kilning on the health status of the workers. No such study has been conducted on this aspect in Pakistan in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular. For this purpose, a printed questionnaire was filled from workers to take history and also blood samples were taken from the workers engaged in this occupation. Also, the same procedure was adopted for control people who were not engaged in this occupation but living all around the brick kilning industry. The findings of the study are helpful in estimating the risk of workers to certain diseases and also these people should be aware to prevent their selves from these diseases. The specific objectives of this study were (1) to check the ill effects of brick kilning on the health of workers. (2) To investigate the hematological and blood biochemical abnormalities in the workers. (3) To give awareness to the workers for protection from the hazardous substance exposure during working hours. (4) To give proper recommendation to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as Public Health Department to ensure the implementation of safety and health rules in such occupation. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sampling area The visit of sampling area (Gogdara), at Mingora Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Pakistan, was made in October 2012. During visit, primary data and blood samples from Brick kiln occupants and the people living all around the area were collected. Number of samples The samples were collected from 10 workers working in brick kiln and 5 control people. A standard questionnaire was designed regarding their socioeconomic and health status. 1513 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS Blood sampling A 5ml blood was collected from the brachial vein of each worker and control. Blood pressure and body temperature were recorded. A 3 ml blood was transferred to vacutainer tube containing heparin for complete blood profile using Sysmex KX21(Japan). The 2ml blood was transferred to falcon tube having no anticoagulant for the isolation of serum and then the samples were transferred to -20 °C for later analysis. Serum was used for analysis of different chemicals (Cholesterol, Glucose, SGPT and Triglycerides using Shiamadzu Double Beam Spectrophotometer 1700 pharma (Japan). Data analysis The data obtained was statistically analyzed. Mean, Standard deviation, column statistics, T test and row statistics were performed for each parameter. Graph pad Prism, Demo version 5.0 was used. (www.graphpad.com) for analysis. 2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION History of workers and control group In the present study, both workers and control group were divided into different age groups and a questionnaire was designed in which the histories of each group were taken. Controls were mostly normal while workers were occupationally exposed to brick kiln toxicants and had some health problems like hypertension, chronic lungs abnormalities, chest pain, joints pain, allergy and physical weakness. Kodgul and Salvi, 2012 and Nabi et al., 2014 also mentioned that the children, women, elderly peoples and Tandoor occupants who spent most of their time indoors are at high risk of getting both the upper as well as lower respiratory tract infection. The data has been given in Table 1 and 2 respectively. Blood biochemical parameters 1. Blood cholesterol level In the present study, serum samples of both groups were analyzed for cholesterol level. The mean along with standard deviation for both brick making workers and control have been given in Table 3. In workers, the serum cholesterol level was 204 ± 6.2 mg/dl with a range of 192 to 210 mg/dl and that of control was 166 ± 16 mg/dl with a range of 147 to 187 mg/dl. The results indicates that in workers there was a significant increase in 1514 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS serum cholesterol level (P<0.05) as compared to control group. Our results are in agreement with the findings of Bareegard et al., 2006; Nemmar et al., 2006 and Nabi et al., 2014 who found high cholesterol level and blood pressure in people exposed to chronic smoke. 2. Blood glucose level In our study the mean along with standard deviation of glucose for workers and control has been shown in Table 3. The mean value of glucose for workers was 176 ± 1.8 mg/dl with a range of 173 to 179 mg/dl. The glucose level for control was 79 ± 18 mg/dl with a range of 68 to 95 mg/dl. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in glucose level of workers as compared to control group. Our results are in agreement with the findings of Nabi et al., 2014 who found significantly highly glucose level in Tandoor occupants, which are frequently exposed to wood smoke and particulate matter as compared to control group. Similarly Frati et al., 1996 also concluded that exposure to cigarette smoking also alter glucose level. Also Bornemisza and Suciu, 1980 and Nabi et al., 2014 reported significantly high glucose level in workers exposed to chronic smoke. 3. Blood triglyceride level The mean ± standard deviation of triglycerides level for both workers and controls has been shown in Table 3. The mean along with standard deviation of brick making workers was 203 ± 4.94 mg/dl with a range of 195 to 210 mg/dl and that of control was 143 ± 22mg/dl with a range of 115 to 171 mg/dl. The difference between the triglyceride level of workers and control shows that smoke and dust significantly (P<0.05) increases triglyceride level in workers as compared to control group. Like our study, the findings of Alokail et al., 2011 showed that infuriate smoke exposure was associated with increased level of triglycerides. Similarly, Nabi et al., 2014 also found a close association between chronic wood smoke exposure and increased plasma triglycerides level. Similar to our findings American Heart Association, 1983 and Frati et al., 1996 also concluded that cigarette smoking increases triglycerides and blood pressure. 4. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) The blood samples were also analyzed for SGPT level. The mean with standard deviation of workers was 53±1.7 U/L with a range 50 to 55 U/L and that of control was 23 ± 6.7 U/L and their range was from 17 to 29 U/L (Table 4). The result showed that 1515 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS there was significant (P>0.05) increased in SGPT of workers and control group. This study is in agreement with the results of Nabi et al., 2014 who found a significant increase in the SGPT level of workers exposed to chronic wood smoke and particulate matter. Wang et al., 2002 and Loh et al., 2006 also found an increased in the level of SGPT in individuals exposed to smoke. 5. Blood profile Complete blood profile was done for brick making workers and also for control and results have been in table 4. a. Hemoglobin (HB) level The result for Hb has been presented in Table 4. The mean±SD for worker groups was 13 ±1.5 gm/dl having a range of 11 to 16 gm/dl. The same value for control was 13 ± 1.6 gm/dl with a range 12 to 15 gm/dl. There was no significant (P<0.05) difference in the hemoglobin level of workers as compared to control group. Our results show deviation from the findings of Nordenberg et al., 1990 and Nabi et al., 2014 which might be due to differences in the type of fuel used for combustion. b. Hematocrit (HCT) value The mean and standard deviation of brick making workers was 36 ±2.9 % with a range of 31 to 39% and that in control was 43 ± 1.7 % and its range was 40 to 45%. The results showed that there was significant (P<0.05) decreased in the HCT value of brick making workers as compared to control (Table 4). This low HCT value is not supported by the findings of Kondo et al., 1993 and Nabi et al., 2014 who reported high HCT value in people exposed to smoke which might be due to differences in the type of fuel used. c. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) The mean with standard deviation of MCV in workers was 81 ± 3.6 fl with a range of 74 to 85 fl and the value for control was 97 ± 4.7 fl with a range of 91 to102 fl. The results showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in the MCV of both workers and control as shown in Table 4. Our results are against the findings of Kondo et al., 1993 and Nabi et al., 2014 who found that chronic exposure to wood smoke increases MCV. This might be due to differences in the type of wood used as a fuel leading to microcytic anemia. d. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) The blood samples were also analyzed for mean corpuscular hemoglobin and the results has been given in Table 4. The mean and standard deviation of MCH in workers 1516 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS was 28 ± 1.2 pg with a range of 26 to 30 pg. For control the value was 33 ± 3.7 pg with a range of 30 to 39 pg. The result showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in MCH of workers as compared to control. Unlike our study the results of Kondo et al., 1993 and Nabi et al., 2014 are not in agreement which might be due to differences in the type of wood used for fuel. e. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) The mean along with standard deviation of MCHC in workers was 29 ± 2.9 % having a range of 25 to 32 % and in control was 33 ± 1.5 % with a range of 30 to 34 %. The values for both groups have given in Table 4. The result showed that there is a significant (P<0.05) decreased in the MCHC of workers as compared to control. The present study showed deviation from the result of Kondo et al., 1993 and Nabi et al., 2014 who reported that individual chronically exposed to smoke has higher level of MCHC. This differences might be due to differences in type of fuel used. f. Total leukocyte count (TLC) The TLC of both the workers and control are given in Table 4. The mean along with standard deviation of brick making workers was 7097± 1004/cmm with a range of 5700 to 8300 /cmm. The total leucocytes count of control was 7287 ± 762 /cmm with a range of 6633 to 8600 /cmm. The results showed that in workers TLC was significantly (P<0.05) lowered as compared to control group. Our findings are not parallel with the results of Kondo et al., 1993; Megan and Smith, 2003; Yanbaeva et al., 2007 and Nabi et al., 2014 who reported high TLC level in people exposed to chronic smoke. This low TLC might be due to shift of acute body response to chronic response. g. Neutrophil count The mean along with standard deviation of neutrophils in control was 47.54 ± 2.6 % and its range was 42-51 %, and that of workers was 65.2 ±4.3 % with a range of 61-72 %. The result showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in the neutrophils concentration of brick making workers than that of control. The result of Schwartz, 2001; Perez et al., 2010 and Nabi et al., 2014 are an agreement with our study who reported high percentage of neutrophil count in people exposed to chronic smoke. h. Lymphocytes count The mean ± standard deviation of lymphocyte count in workers was 50 ± 4.2 % with a range of 42 to 56 % and that in control was 27 ± 3.8 % with a range of 21 to 31%. The results showed that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the lymphocytes count of workers compared to control (Table 4). Our findings are parallel with the results of 1517 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS Rutgerz et al., 2000 and Nabi et al., 2014 who reported significantly increased lymphocyte count in people chronically exposed to smoke as compared to control group. i. Platelets count The mean ± standard deviation of platelets count in both the brick making workers and control has been given in Table 4. In workers the mean and standard deviation of platelets was 245600 ± 41500 /cmm with a range of 173000 to 341000 /cmm and in control it was 268200±49114 /cmm with a range of 225000 to 380000 /cmm. There was a significant (P<0.05) decreased in the platelets count of workers when compared with control group. The analyzed result of Ray et al., 2006 and Nabi et al., 2014 deviate from the present study who documented that chronic biomass smoke exposure activates circulating platelets. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The present study was analyzed to investigate the ill effects on health status of brick kiln workers who are occupationally exposed to heat and smoke. Brick kiln smoke is a worldwide problem as it emits the toxic fumes like Nox and Sox. These gases are threaten to health. The workers are regularly exposed to the brick kiln smoke and heat leading to acute and chronic pulmonary diseases, lung infection, chest pain, allergy, dry cough and physical weakness. The blood biochemical parameter such as, SGPT, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels of brick kiln occupants were found higher as compared to control group. The printed as well as electronic media should aware the people from the hazardous effects of smoke and dust generation during cooking of bricks. The Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) should emphasized on burning devices to regulate its manufacturing and to avoid the emission of huge amount of smoke. Seminars should be arranged in educational institutions. Labors should get social security, healthcare and education facilities. 1518 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS Table 1: History of workers (n=10) Age group No. of Marital Exposure Total time Health (years) workers Status time (years) problems problems before after the job (hours/day) Health the job 18-24 2 Unmarried 12 3 No specific No specific 25-31 2 Married 12 5 No specific Appendicitis 32-38 4 Married 12 20 No specific Allergy 39-45 1 Married 12 35 No specific Joint pain, Physical weakness 46-52 1 Married 12 30 No specific lung infection, Hip pain Table 2: History of control (n=5) Age (years) No of control Marital status Exposure time Health problems 20 1 Unmarried No exposure No specific 29 1 Married No exposure No specific 40 1 Married No exposure No specific 42 1 Married No exposure No specific 51 1 Married No exposure No specific Table 3: Blood biochemical parameters of both brick making workers and control Parameters Workers (n =10) Control (n = 5) Mean ± SD* Mean ± SD* Cholesterol (mg/dl) 204 ± 6.2 166 ± 16 Glucose (mg/dl) 176 ± 1.8 79 ± 18 Triglyceride (mg/dl) 203 ± 4.9 143 ± 22 SGPT* (IU/L) 53 ± 1.7 23 ± 6.7 SD*=Standard Deviation, SGPT*= Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase Table 4: Complete blood profile of brick making workers and control Parameters Workers (n=10) Control (n=5) Mean ± SD* Mean ± SD* Hb* (gm/dl) 13 ± 1.5 13 ± 1.6 Total RBC* (mil/cmm) 3.7 ± 0.56 4.0 ±0.36 HCT* (%) 36 ± 2.9 43 ±1.7 1519 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015 Sami Ullah, Ayaz Ali Khan, Kalsoom Ul Haq, Ghulam Nabi- EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO SMOKE AND DUSTS IN BRICK KILN OCCUPANTS MCV*(fl) 81 ± 3.6 97 ± 4.7 MCH* (pg) 28 ± 1.2 33 ± 3.7 MCHC* (%) 29 ± 2.5 33 ± 1.5 TLC* (/cmm) 7097 ± 1004 7287 ± 762 Neutrophils (%) 65.2±4.3 47.5±2.6 Lymphocytes (%) 50 ± 4.2 27 ± 3.8 Platelets (/cmm) 245600±41500 268200±49114 SD*= Standard Deviation, RBC* = Red Blood Cells, Hb* = Hemoglobin, MCV* = Mean Cell Volume, MCH* = Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, HCT *= Hematocrit, TLC*= Total Leukocyte Count, MCHC*= Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration REFERENCES 1. 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Archives of international medicine 2, 811-5. 27. Wang X. 2010. Environmental Pollution from Rural Brick-making Operations and their Health Effect on Workers – Research Design Northwestern, University for Nationalities West of China Institute of Environmental Health. 28. Yanbaeva DG, Dentener MA, Creutzberg EC, Wesseling G, Wouters EF. 2007. Systemic effect of smoking. Chest 3, 1557-66. 1522 AMERICAN RESEARCH THOUGHTS- Volume 1 │ Issue 5 │2015