Impact of pesticides on renal function tests in collaboration with liver function tests among workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pesticides on renal function tests in collaboration with liver
function tests among workers of pesticide formulation and packing plants in Pakistan.
Material and Methods: One hundred workers, 20-50 years of age, working at different
pesticide formulation and packing units for at least one year were included in this study. One
hundred healthy age and sex matched industrial workers were taken as controls. Renal function
tests i.e. blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and liver function tests i.e. alkaline phosphatase,
alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, and
direct bilirubin, were performed. Screening for hepatitis B and C virus was also done to confirm
that all the samples included in current study were negative for Hepatitis B and C virus.
Results: In current study, mean blood urea nitrogen value for 100 control subjects was 8.37
mg/dl while that of 100 pesticide industrial workers was 12.70 mg/dl. Mean serum creatinine value
of 100 controls was 0.65 mg/dl and that of patient population was 0.98 mg/dl. These results
revealed that all the hundred pesticide industrial workers had normal blood urea nitrogen and
serum creatinine levels but on the higher side as compared to control subjects. P value was
significantly high. The results of liver function tests in serum samples of control subjects were
within normal range. Liver function tests of 80 pesticides industrial workers out of 100 were within
normal range whereas 20 workers had abnormally raised levels.
Conclusion: Pesticide exposure among workers of pesticide plants might cause liver toxicity.