Biochemical health profile of workers occupationally exposed to printing press inks in KP, Pakistan

Background: Printing press workers are occupationally exposed to
potentially hazardous chemicals and solvents. Present study was designed
to determine the biochemical health profile of printing press workers.
Methods: Cross sectional study was performed in 50 printing press (male)
workers (Exposed) and 20 Unexposed (male), age matched, individuals, who
were not exposed to printing press environment but lived all around the
printing press area. Non-fasting blood samples were collected, from both
Exposed and Unexposed, for determining full blood counts, lipid profile,
Uric acid and Creatinine. Results: Mean levels of cholesterol [Mean (SD)
mg/dl: 213 (13.0) vs 146 (5.50), P=0.04], triglycerides [Mean (SD) mg/dl:
303 (16.9) vs 196 (7.13), P=0.03] and LDL [Mean (SD) mmol/l: 103 (3.32) vs
42.9 (2.57), P=0.01] were significantly higher in printing press workers
than in Unexposed. Additionally, mean total leukocyte count and total
lymphocytes, were significantly higher (Mean (SD): 8590 (830) vs. 7100
(542) per cmm, P = 0.04 and 44.8 (2.17) % vs. 33.1 (1.85) % respectively,
P = 0.02) while mean neutrophil count was significantly lower (Mean (SD):
46.3 (1.97) % vs. 59.7 (1.88) % respectively, P= 0.03) in printing press
workers than in Unexposed. Conclusion: Exposure to various chemicals in
inks may put printing press workers at risk of poor biochemical profile
which is an important risk factor for developing non-communicable
diseases.