KIDNEY AFFECTION AMONG WORKERS EXPOSED TO SILICA IN AN IRON AND STEEL FOUNDRY

I ntroduction: Silica is used in many industries such as foundries, glass production, cement, concrete, ceramic, porcelain, pottery, bricks, sandblasting, abrasives and construction activities. Several studies have linked long term silica exposure to renal diseases, especially glomerulonephritis. Aim of Work: To study the effect of silica exposure on the renal functions among iron and steel foundry workers. Materials and Methods: Seventy workers exposed to silica in an iron and steel foundry in Helwan, Egypt, were compared to 40 non-exposed individuals as regards full medical and occupational histories, full clinical examination and laboratory investigations including measurement of serum creatinine, serum cystatin C, serum urea, urinary silica, urinary albumin and urinary α1-microglobulin. Albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) were also calculated. Results: A statistically significant higher values of urinary silica, urinary albumin, urinary α1-microglobulin, serum creatinine, serum cystatin C and ACR were detected among the exposed group compared to the control. A statistically significant lower value of e-GFR was found among the exposed group. Statistically significant positive correlations were present between duration of employment and each of urinary