Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation

Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation

Evaluation of the Relationship between Color Vision and Blood Lead Concentration at Koushk Lead and Zinc Mine Employees in Bafgh City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
F Fattahi Bafghi 1
E Jafarzadehpour 1
A Mirzajani 1
A.A Yekta 2
M khabazkhoob 3
1 Department of Optometry, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Optometry, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3 Epidemiologic Research Center of Eye Diseases, Noor Ophthalmology Hospital, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/jpsr.2018.25480.1680
Abstract
Purpose:
This study was performed to determine the color vision and blood lead concentration in Koushk lead and zinc mine employees.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was carried out at Koushk lead and zinc mine in Bafgh city. All participants were male. They were divided into two groups: The exposed groups (114 patients) and the non-exposed groups (76 patients). According to the exclusion criteria, 190 subjects recruited for the study with complete satisfaction. A preliminary optometric examination and evolution of color vision were performed for all subjects. Color vision was determined using the D15-Fransworth test. The concentration of blood lead was recorded based on the blood test sheet.
Results:
Percentage frequency of the color vision defect was 2.72% in the control group and 11.55% in the case group. The difference between the average of color confusion index between the two groups both in the right eye (case: 1.169 ± 0.283, control: 1.07 ± 0.17) and the left eye (case: 1.168 ± 0.282, control: 1.06±0.14) was statistically significant (right eye p=0.011, left eye p=0.002). Mean blood lead in case and control groups were 10.07 ± 15.81 and 6.46 ± 9.03, respectively. This difference was statistically significant between two groups (P = 0.047).
Conclusion:
The difference between groups in the color vision defect indicates that long-term exposure to minerals in the lead and zinc mine may cause color vision defect and could be a potential cause of this disorder.
Keywords
Color vision
Lead and zinc mine employees
Blood lead concentration
Subjects
  1. Attarchi MS, Labbafinejad Y, Mohammadi S. Occupational exposure to different levels of mixed organic solvents and colour vision impairment. Neurotoxicology and teratology 2010; 32(5): 558-62.
  2. Steward JM, Cole BL. What Do Color Vision Defectives Say About Everyday Tasks? Optometry and Vision Science 1989; 66(5): 288-95.
  3. Tagarelli A, Piro A, Tagarelli G, Lantieri PB, et al. Colour blindness in everyday life and car driving. Acta Ophthalmol Scand 2004; 82(4): 436-42.
  4. Mahjoob M, Ostadimoghaddam H, Heydarian S. Color vision deficiency. Journal of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences 2017; 18(4): Pe1-Pe7, En8.
  5. Aminipour M, Barkhordari A, Ehrampoush M, Hakimian A. Blood Lead Levels in Workers at Kooshk Lead and Zinc Mine. The Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences 2008; 16(2): 24-30.
  6. Erie JC, Butz JA, Good JA, Erie EA, et al, Cameron JD. Heavy Metal Concentrations in Human Eyes. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2005; 139(5): 888-93.
  7. Tabrizizadeh M, Boozarjomehri F, Akhavan Karbasi M, Maziar F. Evaluation of the relationship between blood lead level and prevalence of oral complications in Koushk lead mine workers, Yazd province. Journal of Dental Medicine 2006; 19(1): 91-8.
  8. Barboni MTS, Feitosa-Santana C, Zachi EC, Lago M, et al. Preliminary findings on the effects of occupational exposure to mercury vapor below safety levels on visual and neuropsychological functions. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2009; 51(12): 1403-12.
  9. Bowler RM, Gysens S, Diamond E, Booty A, et al. Neuropsychological sequelae of exposure to welding fumes in a group of occupationally exposed men. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2003; 206(6): 517-29.
  10. Bowler RM, Gysens S, Diamond E, Nakagawa S, et al. Manganese exposure: Neuropsychological and neurological symptoms and effects in welders. NeuroToxicology 2006; 27(3): 315-26.
  11. Campagna D, Stengel B, Mergler D, Limasset JC, et al. Color vision and occupational toluene exposure. Neurotoxicology and teratology 2001; 23(5): 473-80.
  12. Gong YY, Kishi R, Katakura Y, Tsukishima E, et al. Relation between colour vision loss and occupational styrene exposure level. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2002; 59(12): 824-9.
  13. Jiménez Barbosa IA, Boon MY, Khuu SK. Exposure to Organic Solvents Used in Dry Cleaning Reduces Low and High Level Visual Function PLoS ONE 2015; 10(5): e0121422
  14. Keshavarzi S, Mirzajani A, Jafarzadehpour E. Evaluation of Color Vision in Oil Products and Petrochemical Employees. Paramedical Science and Rehabilitation 2015; 5(1): 65-58.
  15. Bowman KJ. A method for quantitative scoring of the Farnsworth Panel D‐15. Acta Ophthalmologica 1982; 60(6): 907-16.
  16. Vingrys AJ, King-Smith PE. A quantitative scoring technique for panel tests of color vision. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 1988; 29(1): 50-63.
  17. Jafarzadehpur E, Hashemi H, Emamian MH, Khabazkhoob M, et al. Color vision deficiency in a middle-aged population: the Shahroud Eye Study. International ophthalmology 2014; 34(5): 1067-74.
  18. Pilvar N, Jafarzadehpur E, Mirzajani A, Khalaj M, et al. Evaluation of prevalence of acquired color vision impairment in detergent factory workers. Rehabilitation Medicine 2013; 2(1): 1-6.
  19. Lee E-H, Do Eum K, Cho S-I, Cheong H-K, et al. Acquired dyschromatopsia among petrochemical industry workers exposed to benzene. NeuroToxicology 2007; 28(2): 356-63.
  20. Ventura DF, Simões AL, Tomaz S, Costa MF, et al. Colour vision and contrast sensitivity losses of mercury intoxicated industry workers in Brazil. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 2005; 19(3): 523-9.
  21. Gobba F, Cavalleri A.Color Vision Impairment in Workers Exposed to Neurotoxic Chemicals. NeuroToxicology 2003; 24(4–5): 693-702.
  22. Campagna D, Mergler D, Huel G, Bélanger S, et al. Visual dysfunction among styrene-exposed workers. Scandinavian Journalof Work, Environment &Health 1995; 21(5): 382-90.
  23. Kollner H. Die Stroungen des Farbensinnes. Berlin: Karger1912.
  24. Brown DV. Reaction of the rabbit retinal pigment ipithelium to systemic lead poisoning. Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society 1974; 72: 404-47.
  25. Fox DA, Sillman AJ. Heavy Metals Affect Rod, But Not Cone, Photoreceptors. Science 1979; 206(4414): 78-80.
  26. Goyer RA. Lead toxicity: current concerns. Environmental Health Perspectives 1993; 100: 177-87.
  27. Hsu P-C, Guo YL. Antioxidant nutrients and lead toxicity. Toxicology 2002;180(1):33-44.
  28. Rozanova E, Heilig P, Godnić-Cvar J. The Eye - a Neglected Organ in Environmental and Occupational Medicine: An Overview of Known Environmental and Occupational Non-Traumatic Effects on the Eyes. Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology 2009; 60 (2): 205-15
  29. Kilic D. The effects of ageing and sulfur dioxide inhalation exposure on visual-evoked potentials, antioxidant enzyme systems, and lipid-peroxidation levels of the brain andeye. Neurotoxicology and teratology 2003; 25(5): 587-98.

Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation
Volume 7, Issue 3
Summer 2018
Pages 54-60