Objective To investigate adverse effect of lead exposure on serum biochemical parameters of workers.

Methods A total of 719 workers in a lead-acid battery manufacturer in Wuhan were studied. The physical examination was done according to the "Technical Specifications for Occupational Health Monitoring". Blood lead concentrations were measured by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum biochemical parameters, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were analyzed by automated biochemical instrument. According to blood lead level, the workers were divided into 2 groups, namely, higher group (≥ 400 μg/L) and lower group (< 400 μg/L). Multivariate linear regression models were used to explore the associations of lead exposure with serum biochemical parameters.

Results The mean value of blood lead in the lower group and higher group was (221.71 ±105.15) μg/L and (583.24 ±153.54) μg/L, respectively. Totally 56 workers (7.79%) had abnormality of serum ALT and 20 workers (2.78%) had abnormality of AST. The average level of ALT was (23.68 ±18.47) U/L in the lower group and (23.07 ±14.48) U/L in the higher group, while AST level was (21.88 ±10.18) U/L in the lower group and (23.71 ±17.71) U/L in the higher group. There was no significant difference between these two groups (P>0.05). The results of multiple linear regression showed that the workers' serum AST increases by 0.004 U/L for every 1μg/L increase of blood lead.

Conclusion There is a positive correlation between the level of blood lead and AST. The accumulation of lead may cause damage to liver tissue.