The Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Traditional Textile Dyers in Ntonso, Kumasi were Affected by Exposure to Synthetic Textile Dyes

Aim: To study the effects of synthetic textile dyes on haematology and serum biochemistry of traditional textile industry practitioners at Ntonso in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Ntonso in the Ashanti region of Ghana and clinical analyses were carried out at the Clinical Analyses Laboratory at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST between October 2018 and February 2019.

Methodology: This study was conducted on 50 textile dyeing practitioners who have been using synthetic textile dyes for more than five years and 50 participants in the control group whose daily work does not expose them to any kind of synthetic textile dye. Participants over 70 years or less than 18 years, pregnant women and those with a medical history of kidney and liver diseases were excluded from the study. Haematological parameters such as White Blood Cell (WBC) counts, Red Blood Cell (RBC) counts, Platelet counts, Haemoglobin levels, etc. were measured. Liver function indicators such as Alanine transaminase (ALT), Protein, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), Total Bilirubin (TBIL), and kidney function indicators such as Creatinine, urea, Na, K, Cl ion levels were assessed. Lipid profile parameters such as Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, High-Density Lipoproteins, Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), and Very Low-Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) levels were also assessed.

Results: There were statistical differences in both groups regarding key haematological and key serum biochemical parameters such as protein, globulin, ALP, GGT, creatinine, chloride, VLDL and Triglyceride. A significant correlation was observed between the metal ions and haematological parameters, biochemical parameters and quantity of dye used.

Conclusion: Heavy metals found in synthetic textile dyes altered lipid profile, haematological and biochemical parameters of the dye practitioners.