Hepatorenal-toxicities Accompanying Exposure to Indoor Air Pollutants in Chemical Storekeepers at an International Market

Various activities in chemical stores such as production, packaging, repackaging, offloading, and storing of chemicals can emit toxic chemicals into the ambient air which may be detrimental to health. This research work aimed to determine whether or not there is hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity in chemical storekeepers. A total of twenty male adult storekeepers of four chemical stores were used as subjects. Four male storekeepers of a garment store 1km from the chemical stores of the same market were used as control subjects. Heavy metals in the indoor air of the shops and the blood samples of the subjects were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer while an aerocet analyzer was used for the measurement of particulate matter. Kidney and liver function tests were carried out on the serum of subjects using standard analytical test kits. Concentrations of all the assayed heavy metals in the ambient air of the chemical stores and the blood samples of chemical storekeepers were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the controls. Particulate matter concentrations in all the chemical stores increased significantly (p<0.05). Serum urea, creatinine, sodium ion, potassium ion, chloride, and bicarbonate were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in the chemical storekeepers compared to control subjects. Concentrations of serum bilirubin and liver enzymes were significantly elevated (p<0.05) while total protein and albumin concentrations were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the majority of the chemical storekeepers compared to the control subjects. There were strong indications of renal and hepato-toxicities in the chemical storekeepers at Ariaria International Market.