Objective: To assess the oxidative stress induced due to heavy metal exposure. Exposed populations are selected from an engine tuning station and control from the same area with no occupational exposure.
Method: Standard methods were followed for enzymatic assay, and heavy metals in blood and urine were analyzed by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer after microwave digestion.
Result: Changes in mean blood Pb, Cd, and Ni concentrations in blood and urine of exposed population of all age groups (20 to 35, 35 to 45, and 46 to 58 years) and exposure durations (< or =10, 11 to 20, and >20 years) were statistically not significant. However, exposed workers exhibited statistically significant higher antioxidant status in terms of serum glutathione-S-transferase activity, malondialdehyde level, and catalase activity.
Conclusion: The findings in this article suggest that occupational exposure to diesel exhaust of engine tuning workers causes induction of oxidative stress, which cannot be correlated with the heavy metals status in blood and urine of an exposed population.