Serum Nickel Levels Compromise the Oxidative Status and Lung Functions in Ceramic Workers

Nickel, in the form of various alloys and compounds, has been widespread commercial use for over 100 years. Several million workers worldwide are exposed to airborne fumes, dust, mist containing nickel its compounds. Further, exposures by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact occur nickel-producing industries, like mining, milling, melting, refining, nickel-using electroplating, welding, grinding. Insoluble is predominant exposure whereas soluble industries ceramics industry. This study was designed extrapolate levels serum nickel, antioxidant stress markers correlate them with lung function status craft The included 50 fiber from industry who met inclusion criteria. control group consisted subjects general population no disease. Blood samples were collected a phlebotomist. biological antioxidants, i.e. glutathione (GSH) marker malondialdehye (MDA), determined. Estimation oxidants haptoglobin (Hp) assessed. level measured atomic absorption spectrophotometry. A spirometer used measure functions. calculated these parameters compared those subjects. An overall increase MDA decrease GSH observed. When classified into groups, it observed that prolonged employment associated an increased concentration serum, which turn oxidative biomarkers thus decreased lower limit. compromises function. Our findings Hp noteworthy, as 89% 10 years service working less than 5 Prolonged increases stress, terms level. These can compromise