Impact of Pesticides on Liver Enzymes in Workers of Pesticide Formulation & Packing Plants in Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pesticides on Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GTT), Alkaline
Phosphatase (ALP), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate Transaminase (AST) in workers
of pesticide formulation & packing plants in Pakistan.
Material & Methods: One hundred workers in the age group of 20-50 years working at different
pesticide formulation and packing units for at least one year were included in this study. One
hundred healthy workers from other than pesticides industry, with no history of exposure to
pesticides and matching age, sex and social status were taken as controls.Biochemical tests for
GGT, ALP, ALT, and AST, were carried out employing Chemistry Auto analyzer.
Results: In current study, serum of one hundred control subjects indicated mean GGT value
37.19+8.07U/L. Mean GGT value for one hundred pesticide industrial workers was found to be
30.08+10.63U/L. These results revealed that all the hundred pesticide industrial workers had
normal GGT levels, but on the lower side as compared to control subjects. Pvalue was significant.
Data of hundred pesticides industrial workers was taken and it was found that ALP, ALT, AST of
eighty workers was within the normal range whereas the remaining twenty workers had raised
level of ALP, ALT, & AST. Data of the control group showed that ALP, ALT, & AST of all one hundred
workers were within the normal range.
Conclusions: All Pesticide industrial workers had normal GGT levels. High or upper normal
levels of ALP, ALT, and AST were observed in serum of pesticide industrial workers.