Oxidative toxic stress in workers occupationally exposed to ceramic dust: A study in a ceramic manufacturing industry.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to compounds used in ceramic industries appears to be associated with induction of oxidative toxic stress.


OBJECTIVE
This cross sectional study was undertaken to assess the oxidative toxic stress parameters associated with occupational exposure to ceramic dust.


METHODS
Forty ceramic-exposed workers from a ceramic manufacturing industry and 40 unexposed referent subjects were studied. A questionnaire containing information regarding demographic variables, occupational history, history of any chronic disease, antioxidant consumption, and use of therapeutic drugs was administrated to them. Oxidative toxic stress biomarkers including lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant power (TAP), levels of total Thiol groups (TTG) and catalase (CAT) activity were measured.


RESULTS
Significant increments in blood LPO levels, CAT activity and concomitant lower TAP were observed in ceramic exposed workers in comparison to referent group. No statistically significant difference was noted between the means of TTG levels between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of the study indicate that occupational exposure to ceramic dust induces oxidative toxic stress. Supplementation of workers with antioxidants may have beneficial effects on oxidative damages in ceramic industries.
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Mehri Keshvari
MK
Shad
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Abolfaz
A
Barkhordari
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Amir Houshang
AH
Mehrparvar
Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Yazd University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Ali
A
Dehghani
Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Akram
A
Ranjbar
Department of Ergonomics, School of Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Rashid Heidari
RH
Moghadam
Workers; oxidative stress; total antioxidant power