OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO ALUMINUM AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Suez University; Suez, Egypt.

2 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine; Suez Canal University; Ismailia, Egypt.

3 Department of Clinical Pathology; Faculty of Medicine; Suez Canal University; Ismailia, Egypt.

Abstract

Introduction: As a result of its beneficial properties, Aluminum is widely used in different industrial processes. However, exposure to aluminum in different industries has been linked to many health sides effects, including worker’s cognitive performance. Aim of Work: early detection of any deviation in cognitive functions for better prognosis among workers exposed to Aluminum. Materials and Methods: Analytic cross-sectional study was carried out on sixty-five male workers in the Arab Aluminum Company in Ismailia Governorate. A questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic data and occupational history. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to asses serum Aluminum level, while Human Elisa Assay was used to measure serum Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) level. As regard cognitive performance, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used. Results: The mean ± SD of duration of the current employment among workers was 17.57±10.50 years. The mean ±SD serum concentrations were 2574.23 ± 935.64 pg/ml for APP and 1.156±1.49 mg/l for Aluminum. MMSE scoring mean ±SD was 27.92± 1.78. Conclusion and Recommendations: MMSE score and serum Aluminum are negatively correlated. Medical and neuropsychological evaluation, as well as biological monitoring of Aluminum levels of workers should be assessed as pre-employment  Exmedical examination and regularly as periodic testing and compared with the pre-existing findings for appropriate medical interventions.

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