The association between kidney function and naphtha exposure among workers in the tyre industry
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to present a study on the effect of naphtha exposure in relation to kidney function among workers in a selected rubber tyre factory. Data on respirable exposure of naphtha and kidney function were obtained from 60 exposed workers in the study. The level of naphtha exposure in an individual worker for one hour of working was 29.8 mg/m3. Kidney functions in this study were assessed using a strip test and microscopic analysis of urine. Any associations between the naphtha level and kidney function parameters were assessed using the chi-square test. There was no significant association of naphtha exposure observed in all four kidney function parameters assessed in this study. However, smoking, which was a confounding factor in this study was found to have a strong correlation with a presence of protein in urine. Simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that smoking workers were at higher risk of exhibiting protein presence. It was shown that those who smoke have 1.84 times the odds of having protein presence compared to those who did not smoke. In conclusion, control measures are crucial to make sure that the concentration of naphtha exposure is below the exposure limit as exposure to naphtha may give rise to irreversible chronic health effects.
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