Renal Dysfunction Among Occupational Silica Exposed Workers

People are exposed to different toxic agents in the environment either naturally or through occupation. These agents may enter the human body through oral inhalational or trans-dermal routes affecting different systems. This study aimed to investigate renal dysfunction among silica occupational exposed workers by studying the difference in amino acids renal excretion and to determine if any amino acid transports systems were impaired. The study included 50 silicosis and 50 non-silicosis male workers from ceramic industry and 50 males as a control group with no history of occupational exposure to silica. Urinary excretion of amino acids was significantly higher among the group of silica-exposed workers compared with the controls.