Blood and Renal Affection Among Egyptian Car Painters

Background: Car painter workers usually suffer from long-term exposure to relatively high levels of mixture of solvents.Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate occupational exposure to organic solvents that entails a risk of haematological changes and renal dysfunction.Subjects and Methodology: This study was conducted in two car repair shops in Maadi El Manial in Cairo. The exposed group was 30 male workers, aged 17 to 35ys (26.8± 4.2), working 12 hours/day with one day off. None of the workers used any protective equipment.A matched referent group of 30 male subjects aged 20 to 38 years (30.8±4.9) and of the same socioeconomic status was also included in our work.The following were performed after taking individual consent: (A) An occupational history; and full clinical examination (B) Serum creatinine and B2 microglobulin in urine, Nacetylglucosaminidase, hippuric and methylhippuric acid and CBC.Results: Showed a statistically high significant difference between the exposed and the control groups as regards serum creatinine, urinary B2 microglobulin, N-acetylglucosaminidase, methylhippuric acid erythrocyte count. A statistically significant higher levels of urinary hippuric acid in the exposed group compared to the control groups. No statistically significant difference between the workers and the control group as regards leucocyte and platelet count.Recommendations: Pre-employment, periodic medical examinations. Personal protective equipment. Health education programs. Following recommended allowable concentrations Further investigations are needed to ascertain the correlation between solvent exposure and kidney and blood affection obtained in this study.