Occupational perchloroethylene exposure in dry-cleaning workers: Oxidative stress and hepatorenal biomarkers

Abbas  Jafari; Soma  Karimi; Zeinab  Esmaeilzadeh; Mohammad  Hajaghazadeh

doi:10.18502/japh.v10i4.20618

Abbas Jafari Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Soma Karimi Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Zeinab Esmaeilzadeh Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Mohammad Hajaghazadeh Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v10i4.20618

Keywords: Perchloroethylene; Occupational exposure; Oxidative stress; Biomarkers; Liver injury

Abstract

Introduction: Perchloroethylene (PCE) is widely used in dry cleaning and has been linked to hepatorenal toxicity. We aimed to assess the relationship between occupational PCE exposure, oxidative stress, and biomarkers of liver and kidney function.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 30 male Iranian dry-cleaning workers and 30 frequency-matched controls. Personal full-shift air samples were collected for PCE. Serum biomarkers of oxidative stress ; Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT); and organ function; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, creatinine, urea; were measured.

Results: Exposed workers had a mean Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 29 ppm, exceeding the 25-ppm Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL). Compared with controls, Malondialdehyde (MDA), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine were higher (p<0.05), while SOD and CAT were lower (p<0.05); ALP and bilirubin did not differ. Within the exposed group, longer employment was associated with worsening oxidative and hepatorenal markers. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed that PCE exposure remained a significant independent predictor of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, CAT) even after adjusting for age and smoking.

Conclusion: Findings indicate oxidative stress accompanies subclinical liver injury and early renal impact at prevailing occupational exposures. Reducing PCE through engineering controls and safer technologies should be prioritized.