Habibullah N. Saiyed

Semen Quality of Industrial Workers Occupationally Exposed to Chromium

Semen Quality of Industrial Workers Occupationally Exposed to Chromium: Sunil Kumar, et al. Reproductive Toxicology and Histochemistry Division, National Institute of Occupational Health (ICMR), India—A total of sixty‐one subjects occupationally exposed to chromium in an industry which manufactures chromium sulphate and fifteen control subjects from a nearby industry which does not manufacture any chromium related compounds were studied. The history of each subject was recorded on pre‐designed form through interview and a routine medical examination was carried out. Blood samples (5–6 ml) were collected for the estimation of chromium and semen samples were collected for semen analysis and the determination of copper and zinc levels in the seminal plasma. Clinical examination revealed nasal perforation in 10 subjects (out of 61) in the exposed group as compared to none in the control group. A significantly higher level of chromium was observed in the blood of the exposed workers as compared to the control. The concentration of zinc in seminal plasma was lower while the level of copper was higher in the exposed group as compared to the control. However, these changes were not statistically significant. Statistically significant higher numbers of morphologically abnormal sperms were noticed in the exposed group with respect to the control. Further analysis of the data indicated that about 53% of the exposed subjects showed less than 30% normal forms as compared to 10% in control subjects. However, no significant alterations in semen volume, liquefaction time, mean pH value, sperm viability, concentration or motility, were noticed between chromium exposed and unexposed workers. The data also indicates that exposure to chromium has some effect on human sperm as a significant positive correlation (r=0.301) was observed between percentages of abnormal sperm morphology and blood chromium levels (p=0.016) after pooling all the data of the control and exposure groups.

Ocular morbidity and fuel use: an experience from India

The association of fuel use and ocular morbidity in a village in western India was investigated in a cross sectional prevalence survey involving 469 randomly selected subjects. All subjects were interviewed and underwent medical and ophthalmological examination. Wood use was found to be an important factor in the aetiology of age dependent cataract (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.03–4.34). When comparing wood only and LPG only users, the odds ratio was 3.47 (95% CI 1.05–11.50). In cases of eye irritation, coal use (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.13–3.68) and cattle dung use (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.35–2.47) were shown to be important factors, while male sex posed a lesser risk.

Non-occupational pneumoconiosis at high altitude villages in central Ladakh.

An epidemiological survey was carried out to investigate the occurrence of non-occupational pneumoconiosis in Ladakh, where there are no mines or industries. The clinicoradiological investigations of 449 randomly selected subjects from three villages showed typical cases of pneumoconiosis associated with progressive massive fibrosis and egg shell calcification of hilar glands. The prevalence of pneumoconiosis in these three villages was 2.0%, 20.1% and 45.3% and it corresponded with the severity of dust storms and the use of chimneys in the kitchens. The dust concentrations in the kitchens with no provision for a chimney were very high. The free silica content of the storms was between 60 and 70%. Exposure to free silica from dust storms and soot from domestic fuels are suggested as causes of these cases of pneumoconiosis.

Pulmonary function and fuel use: A population survey

BackgroundIn the backdrop of conflicting reports (some studies reported adverse outcomes of biomass fuel use whereas few studies reported absence of any association between adverse health effect and fuel use, may be due to presence of large number of confounding variables) on the respiratory health effects of biomass fuel use, this cross sectional survey was undertaken to understand the role of fuel use on pulmonary function.MethodThis study was conducted in a village of western India involving 369 randomly selected adult subjects (165 male and 204 female). All the subjects were interviewed and were subjected to pulmonary function test. Analysis of covariance was performed to compare the levels of different pulmonary function test parameters in relation to different fuel use taking care of the role of possible confounding factors.ResultsThis study showed that biomass fuel use (especially wood) is an important factor for deterioration of pulmonary function (particularly in female). FEV1 (p < .05), FEV1 % (p < .01), PEFR (p < .05) and FEF25–75 (p < .01) values were significantly lower in biomass fuel using females than nonusers. Comparison of only biomass fuel use vs. only LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) use and only wood vs. only LPG use has showed that LPG is a safer fuel so far as deterioration of pulmonary function is concerned. This study observes some deterioration of pulmonary function in the male subjects also, who came from biomass fuel using families.ConclusionThis study concluded that traditional biomass fuels like wood have adverse effects on pulmonary function.

Assessment of thyroid function in pesticide formulators.

Thirty male pesticide formulators exposed to the dust and liquid formulation of endosulfan, quinalphos, chlorpyriphos, monocrotophos, lindane, parathion, phorate, and fenvalerate and 20 comparable control subjects from the same area of study were examined for the evaluation of thyroid function tests. The level of TSH was elevated (about 28%) in pesticide formulators as compared to a control group, but the increase was statistically insignificant. Based on the individual TSH measurement, 3 of 30 formulators had isolated elevated levels of TSH and seem to have acquired sub-clinical hypothyroidism; five had TSH values slightly elevated to the upper boarder line (4.03,uIU/ml); and the majority of formulators (N= 22) had TSH values in the normal range varying from 1.29 to 3.9 pIU/ml. Total T3 was suppressed significantly (P <0.01) in formulators, while marginal decrease (about 7%) was noticed in T4 level. This studyindicatedthyroidfunctionimpairmentinfewpesticide formulators.

Seminal plasma zinc concentration and α-glucosidase activity with respect to semen quality

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the concentration of zinc and neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) with semen quality. Semen samples from 75 male partners of couples who were attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department were analyzed for semen quality. Based on sperm count, the subjects were divided into three groups. Zinc and neutral α-glucosidase activity were estimated in seminal plasma. Results showed that mean the α-glucosidase activity was lowest among the azoospermic group with respect to oligozoospermic and normozoospermic groups. Mean zinc levels were also lower among azoospermics compared to oligozoospermic and normospermic groups. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was observed between zinc levels and sperm count (r=0.29, p<0.05) and zinc and α-glucosidase activity (r=0.31, p<0.05) in seminal plasma. These results suggest that zinc and neutral α-glucosidase seem to play an important role in human reproduction.

Repeated episodes of endosulfan poisoning

Introduction: a number of families in a rural area of Jabalpur District (Madhya Pradesh), India, were affected by repeated episodes of convulsive illness over a period of three weeks. The aim of this investigation was to determine the cause of the illness. Methods: the investigation included a house‐to‐house survey, interviews of affected families, discussions with treating physicians, and examination of hospital records. Endosulfan poisoning was suspected as many villagers were using empty pesticide containers for food storage. To confirm this, our team collected blood and food samples, which were transported to the laboratory and analyzed with GC‐ECD. Results: thirty‐six persons of all age groups had illness of varying severity over a period of three weeks. In the first week, due to superstitions and lack of treatment, three children died. In the second week, symptomatic treatment of affected persons in a district hospital led to recovery but recurrence of convulsive episodes occurred after the return home. In the third week, 10 people were again hospitalized in a teaching hospital. Investigations carried out in this hospital ruled out infective etiology but no facilities were available for chemical analysis. All persons responded to symptomatic treatment. The blood and food samples analyzed by our team showed presence of endosulfan, which was confirmed by GCMS. One of the food items (Laddu) prepared from wheat flour was found to contain 676 ppm of α‐endosulfan. Conclusions: Contamination of wheat grains or flour with endosulfan and its consumption over a period of time was the most likely cause of repeated episodes of convulsions, but the exact reason for this contamination could not be determined. This report highlights the unsafe disposal of pesticide containers by illiterate farm workers, superstitions leading to delay in treatment, and susceptibility of children to endosulfan.

Cardiac Toxicity Following Short-Term Exposure to Methomyl in Spraymen and Rabbits

A health surveillance study in 22 healthy spraymen showed significent T-wave changes (including inversion) in most of the limb leads and chest leads following 5 d exposure to methomyl, a carbamate pesticide. Significant changes in plasma cholinesterase and lactic dehydrogenase activities were also noticed. The ECG changes could be reproduced in rabbits and were dose dependent. This type of ECG change following exposure to a carbamate compound is reported for the first time in occupationally-exposed subjects. The study results indicate that these changes are probably directly related to methomyl rather than its toxicity through cholinesterase inhibition. The significance of these changes remain to be investigated.

Tuberculosis among workers exposed to free silica dust

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global emergency. Poverty, increasing migration, homelessness and the compulsions to live and work in high-risk environments are making people increasingly susceptible to the disease. Those working in mines, construction work, stone-crushing and in other similar occupations where there is a greater level of exposure to silica dust are specially vulnerable. Though the association between TB and silicosis has been firmly established by the results of epidemiologic studies no attempts have been made to study the epidemiological features of radiologically active TB among free silica exposed workers. Thus the cross sectional study was carried out among slate pencil workers and quartz stone crushers to assess the prevalence of TB and some associated epidemiological factors. It included 253 quartz workers and 102 slate pencil workers. Clinical history and chest radiographs were used for labeling the subjects as tuberculotic. The pulmonary functions of the subjects were measured using Spirovit SP- 10. Statistical analysis was carried out using statistical software package Epi Info 3.3.2. Among stone crushers the prevalence of TB was found to be 10.7% while among slate pencil workers it was as high as 22.5%. Among the quartz stone-crushers the workers aged ≥35 years, those exposed for ≥3 years and those who were smokers had higher risk TB while among the slate pencil workers, only those exposed for ≥10 years had higher risk. Though the FVC and FEV1 values of the workers having TB were lower than those having normal radiographs, the differences were found to statistically non-significant.

Occupational injuries: is job security a factor?

CONTEXT Although a large number of contributing factors of occupational injury causation are explored meticulously to explain the phenomenon of higher occupational injury occurrence in some subjects, it has remained a matter of controversy. AIMS In this study, an effort is made to explore whether job security has any contribution in explaining higher susceptibility of some workers. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This was a retrospective occupational injury record study conducted in an industry of eastern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS Along with the study of injury records of 5 years, an interview was also conducted involving 726 workers (including permanent and temporary workers both) of the factory. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Comparison was made between permanent and temporary workers by using the Mann-Whitney U-test and the chi-square test. A theoretical model of Poissons distribution was used to compare between expected and real occurrence. RESULTS Although two worker groups were very similar in relation to age, level of education, habits, and nature of work, accident frequency and severity rates were found to be significantly higher in temporary workers. CONCLUSIONS This study concluded that the higher accident risk of the temporary workers might have been due to the less effective experience as well as due to lack of job security inherent in such workers.