International Journal of
Medicine and Medical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9723
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJMMS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 535

Full Length Research Paper

Health effects of lead exposure among Jua Kali (informal sector) workers in Mombasa, Kenya: A case study of the “Express” Jua Kali workers

Jalab Janmohamed Ashraph
  • Jalab Janmohamed Ashraph
  • Occupational Safety and Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mombasa, Kenya.
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Robert Kinyua
  • Robert Kinyua
  • Occupational Safety and Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mombasa, Kenya.
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Fred Mugambi
  • Fred Mugambi
  • Occupational Safety and Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mombasa, Kenya.
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Ahmed Kalebi
  • Ahmed Kalebi
  • Occupational Safety and Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Mombasa, Kenya.
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  •  Accepted: 28 December 2012
  •  Published: 31 January 2013

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the effects of lead exposure among the Jua Kali workers. Correlation study: relationship between lead exposure and its effects on blood lead levels (BLL), kidney function and haemoglobin levels between the lead-exposed versus the lead un-exposed workers. 162 adult Jua Kali workers participated. Out of 119 exposed workers, 8 (6.72%) were aware of lead while only 3 of them (2.5%) used protective equipment. The highest BLL in the test group was 32 μg/dl with 16 of them (13.45%) having BLL above 10 μg/dl. The mean BLL in this group was 6.76 ± 5.96. In the control group, the highest BLL was 9 μg/dl with none having BLL above10 μg/dl. The mean BLL was 2.58 ± 1.69. The spearman’s correlation coefficient was 0.272 significant at 0.05 level. 14 out of 119 (13.45%) exposed workers had impaired glomerular filtration rates (GFR). The mean GFR in the exposed workers was 104.85 ± 16.485. In the un-exposed workers, 1 out of 43 (2.4%) had impaired GFR. The mean GFR was 109.98 ± 15.408. The spearman’s correlation coefficient was -0.113, not statistically significant. 21 out of 119 (17.6%) lead-exposed workers had haemoglobin (HB) less than 13 g/dl  with mean HB of 14.12 ± 1.600. 1 out 43 (2.3%) in the control group had an HB of less than 13 g/dl with the mean HB of 14.37 ± 1.34. Spearman’s correlation coefficient of negative 0.321 (P<0.05) implying significant inverse relationship. Recommendations: education on lead and its effects, provision of protective equipments, medical facilities to diagnose and manage lead and other heavy metal toxicity.

 

Key words: Lead exposure, blood lead levels, glomerular filtration rates, haemoglobin levels.

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: ACIH, American Conference of Industrial Hygiene; BLL, blood lead levels; CBD,central business district; CDC, Center for Disease Control; DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services; dl, deciliter; DOSHS, Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health; GFR,glomerular filtration rate; HB, haemoglobin; ml, millilitre; µg, microgram; NIOSH, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health; PPE, personal protective equipment; WHO, World Health Organization.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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