Lead Toxicity in Spray Painters: An Intervention with Protective Devices and KPT-4 Herbal (A Preliminary Study)

Background: Paint and petrol handled by painters have been reported to contain lead which might enter their body to produce toxicity.

Objectives: This study investigated whether spray painting is associated with lead toxicity and whether an intervention using protective devices or KPT – 4 herbal can minimize exposure to lead and/or lead toxicity.

Methods: Fifteen spray painters were recruited for the study. Venous blood was collected from each worker for analysis of lead using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrophotometer and for analysis of packed cells volume (PCV), haemoglobin, uric acid, phosphate, bilirubin, calcium, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotranferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). This was followed by an interventional study to determine whether 6 months intervention with protective devices or KPT – 4 is associated with decreased blood lead levels and/or lead toxicity.

Results: Blood lead levels were significantly higher (P = 0.004, 485.56 verse 345.75 µg/L) in spray painters than control group. PCV, haemoglobin and ALP were significantly decreased (35.67, 12.35, 58.47 verse 43.13%, 14.58 g/dl, 81.40 iu/L respectively) while uric acid, phosphate, AST and ALT were significantly elevated (349.27, 1.64, 19.47, 15.60 verse 230.13 µmol/L, 1.09 mmol/L, 9.20 iu/L, 6.40 iu/L respectively) in exposed than unexposed workers. Intervention in spray painters with protective devices or KPT – 4 significantly reduced blood lead levels and lead toxicity.

Conclusion: Painters are exposed to lead which may compromise haematological, hepatic and renal functions but can be reverted on intervention using protective devices or KPT – 4.