Occupational lead exposure and its dual impact on renal function and reproductive hormones: A case-control study of Nigerian battery chargers
Ganiyu O. Adeosun, Abdullahi O. Olawuyi, Regina M. Oboh, Fatai O Salawudeen, Tonia C. Onyeneke & Hassanat A. Adeosun
Abstract
Occupational lead exposure among battery chargers poses significant risks to renal and reproductive health. This study assessed serum markers of kidney function (urea, creatinine, uric acid) and reproductive hormones (luteinizing hormone [LH], testosterone) in battery chargers compared to non-exposed controls in Ondo West Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. In this case–control study, 26 male battery chargers with more than five years of exposure and 26 age-matched controls provided venous blood samples. Standard assays (Berthelot, Jaffe, uricase; ELISA) were used to measure the analytes. Sociodemographic data and exposure history were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests and Pearson correlations (SPSS version 20; p < 0.05 considered significant). Battery chargers showed significantly elevated serum creatinine (94.6 ± 14.9 µmol/L vs. 81.1 ± 10.5 µmol/L; p < .001) and blood lead levels (43.8 ± 34.8 µg/dL vs. 5.7 ± 3.2 µg/dL; p < .001), along with significantly reduced LH levels (3.18 ± 1.50 ng/mL vs. 5.58 ± 1.90 ng/mL; p < .001). No significant differences were observed in serum urea, uric acid, or testosterone levels (p > .05). Duration of lead exposure was positively correlated with creatinine (r = .58; p < .001) and negatively correlated with LH (r = –.50; p < .001). These findings suggest that chronic lead exposure in battery chargers is associated with subclinical renal impairment and disruption of the pituitary–gonadal axis. Routine biomonitoring and enhanced workplace safety interventions are strongly recommended.
Keywords
battery charger, lead exposure, renal function, reproductive hormone, occupational health
Author information & Contribution
Ganiyu O. Adeosun. PhD, Associate Prof., Department of Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Chemistry Unit, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo, Nigeria. Email: ogadeosun@yahoomail.com
Abdullahi O. Olawuyi. Corresponding author. M.Sc, LI, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Chemistry and Immunology Unit. Federal University of Health Sciences. Ila -0rangun.Osun State, Nigeria. Email: abdullahi.olawuyi@fuhsi.edu.ng
Regina M. Oboh. BMLS, AL, Department of Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Chemistry Unit, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo, Nigeria. Email: mofoluwasoboh@gmail.com
Fatai O Salawudeen. MSc, LII, Department of Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Chemistry Unit, A-lhikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State. Email: fosalaudeen@alhikmah.edu.ng
Tonia C. Onyeneke. MSc, PhD student, Department of Nursing Science, University of Evansville, Dunigan Family School of Nursing. Email: onyeneke.tonia@gmail.com
Hassanat A. Adeosun. B.Sc, Research Assistant, Department of Biological Science Faculty of Science, Biology unit, University of Abuja. Email: ayomikunadeosun27@gmail.com
"GOA and AOO conceptualized and finalized the research framework. FOS , RMO, AOO and GOA drafted and revised the manuscript. TOC and HAA gathered, analyzed and interpreted the data. All authors contributed to the writing of the final version of the manuscript."
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Funding
This work was not supported by any funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical guidelines set by University of Medical Sciences, Ondo. The conduct of this study has been approved and given relative clearance(s) by the Ethical Review Committee, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (Ref. UMED/EC/2023/017).
AI Declaration
AI tools were not used in writing this paper.
Notes
Acknowledgement
We are grateful to all the research subjects who participated in this study and to the research assistants who provided valuable help in administering the questionnaire. We also appreciate the cooperation and assistance of UNIMED MLS Research laboratory where research samples were analysed. Their contributions were essential to this study.
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Cite this article:
Adeosun, G.O., Olawuyi, A.O., Oboh, R.M., Salawudeen, F.O., Onyeneke, T.C. & Adeosun, H.A. (2025). Occupational lead exposure and its dual impact on renal function and reproductive hormones: A case-control study of Nigerian battery chargers. Journal of Allied Health Sciences & Medical Research, 1(2), 65-81. https://doi.org/10.53378/jahsmr.353225
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