STUDY OF SOME HEAVY METALS AND THEIR RELATION TO RENAL DISEASES

Abstract

Kidney diseases ansmg from heavy metals play a special role in nephrology because of its prevention.

Exposure to heavy metals is a continuos daily process. Metals can be found in the work place, in drinking water, in food and in the air. Because of their toxicity and incidence of poisoning, lead, arsenic and mercury are frequently encountered in toxicological presentation.

This study was conducted on ninety persons m Gharbeia • Governorate, Their ages ranged from 15-40 years and they were divided into three groups:

Diseased group: - included thirty patients with kidney diseases referred to the Nephrology Unit of Tanta University Hospital. Patients with chronic diseases (e.g. renal failure, liver diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus), infections, obstructive uropathy, smoking and nephrotoxic drug intake were excluded from the study.

Exposed group: comprised thirty apparently healthy workers but at occupational risk and subdivided into three subgroups: ten workers for lead exposure, ten for mercury exposure and the last ten for arsenic exposure. All the three studied groups were age and sex matched.