Subclinical nephrotoxicity associated with occupational silica exposure among male Kenyan industrial workers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine early signs of renal injury due to occupational silica exposure.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analytical research.


METHODS
Kenyatta National Hospital for the referent population and Clayworks ceramics, bricks and tiles factory for the assessment of occupational silica exposure.


METHODS
Thirty three non-smoking silica-exposed male industrial workers and 38 non-smoking male referents participated in this study.


RESULTS
Silica-exposed males excreted significantly increased levels of U.TP, U.Malb, U.ALP, U.y-GT and U.LDH compared to referent males. Among the silica-exposed males, U.Si negatively correlated significantly with age, U.TP correlated significantly to each of U.ALP and U.LDH. However, no correlation was observed between work duration and U.Si.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that there is associated glomerular and proximal tubular damage among silica exposed workers which is not duration related and is seemingly subclinical and nonprogressive and urinary silica levels appears to be similar in all groups and are not affected by exposure and work duration: the reason for which is unclear.
Mwangi
D M
DM
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kenyatta National Hospital, P.O. Box 20723-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
Njagi
L J
LJ
Mcligeyo
S O
SO
Kihoro
J M
JM
Ngeranwa
J J N
JJ
Orinda
G O
GO
Njagi
E N M
EN
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000187:drug effects; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D012822:Silicon Dioxide