Study of lead exposure from automobile exhaust as a risk for nephrotoxicity among traffic policemen

Background: Traffic policemen are the most exposed population to lead (Pb) from automobile exhaust. There has been increasing concern about the possib le harmful effects of Pb from automobile exhaust on health of traffic polic emen. However, no such study was concerned with the impact of Pb exposure o n renal function among them. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of Pb exposure from automobile exhaust on renal integrity among traffic, policeme n. Methods. Markers of tubular damage [urinary excretion of beta (2)-Microg lobulin (beta M-2), N-acetyl-beta -D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alkaline phosph atase (ALP) and gamma -glutamyl transferase (gamma -GT)], a marker of glome rular Injury (albuminuria), and markers of glomerular-filtration [serum cre atinine, serum beta M-2 and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] were determined in 4 3 traffic policemen (Pb-exposed group) and 52 matched healthy persons (cont rol group). Pb levels in blood, urine, hair and nails were determined in th e two groups as exposure indices of Pb. Results. The results obtained show that the Pb-exposed group had higher Pb levels in blood, urine, hair and na ils than the controls. Among the Pb-exposecl group, Pb levels in blood, hai r and nails showed significant and positive correlations with the duration of exposure to Pb which is measured as the duration of employment. Among th e studied markers of kidney damage, urinary excretion of NAG and albumin we re significantly higher in the Pb-exposed group than in the controls. Urina ry excretion of NAG was positively correlated with duration of exposure, bl ood Pb and nail Pb. Urinary albumin was positively correlated with duration of exposure, blood Pb and hair Pb. The other markers of kidney damage were neither elevated nor correlated with exposure indices of Pb. Conclusion: T raffic policemen are liable to Pb toxicity, and the determination of Pb in blood, hair and nails are good markers of such toxicity. In these exposure conditions, kidney damage is possible. Such damage is both tubular and glom erular in nature and can be documented by determination of the urinary excr etion of NAG and albumin. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.