The relationship between blood lead level with iron status and hemopoietic parameters in smoker and non-smoker workers at lead battery factory

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating the effect of lead exposure on hemopoietic system (through the index delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase δ-ALAD activity, hemoglobin concentration Hb, hematocrit concentration Hct) and on iron status (levels of serum iron Fe, ferritin Fr, total iron binding capacity TIBC, percentage of transferrin saturation TS%) in Iranian workers at lead batteries factory. Forty-four workers were divided into two groups: smokers (n = 21) and non-smokers (n = 23). Also, 45 healthy subjects were studied as control group. δ-ALAD, iron status, and hematological parameters were evaluated. Activity of δ-ALAD ratio showed significant decrease (p < 0.05), while Hb and Hct were non-significant (p > 0.05) in smoker workers compared to non-smoker and control groups. There was no significant decrease (p > 0.05) in the sera levels of Fe, TS%, and Fr in all workers as compared to control. There was a significant increase in the level of TIBC in workers as compared to control; this elevation is more in smoker than in non-smoker workers. In smoker workers, there was a significant positive correlation between the blood lead levels (BLLs) and Hb, Hct, and TIBC whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between BLLs and Fe and TS%. The results revealed the importance of monitoring the level of iron status in smokers who deal with lead and therefore anemia will develop for them. δ-ALAD ratio was considered to predict the efficiency of heme synthesis as a new marker for the diagnosis of early stage of anemia. © 2014, Springer-Verlag London.