Risk of nephrotoxicity among dry cleaning workers exposed to perchloroethylene: A comparative cross-sectional study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Perchloroethylene, a chemical commonly used in the dry-cleaning sector, presents a potential risk to kidney health. This study measured urinary and blood nephrotoxic biomarkers among dry cleaners compared to hotel laundry workers to assess PCE's impact. A multi-center comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with 164 randomly selected participants from 21 dry-cleaning shops and 26 hotel laundries. Data were collected through biological samples and structured questionnaires and with tests for statistical significance. The result showed that majority of the employees were females in both groups and the risk of nephrotoxicity was higher in dry cleaners as compared to hotel laundry workers. We found a significant mean difference in three biomarkers namely, Total Protein (TPU) with a Median & IQR value of (102 mg/dl &70.75 mg/dl) and (54.5 mg/dl &27.25 mg/dl), Urinary creatinine with a Median & IQR value of (193 mg/dl & 111.06 mg/dl) and (142.93 mg/dl & 78.17 mg/dl) and Urinary Calcium with a Median & IQR value of (2.60 mmol/l & 2.94 mmol/l) and (0.835 mmol/l & 0.79 mmol/l) for the exposed and the control groups respectively. However, a significant difference was not found in urinary protein to creatinine ratio, urinary sodium, Blood urea nitrogen and S. creatinine between the two groups, but higher value of sodium above range and higher BUN within range was observed in dry cleaners and factors like employment duration, PCE spillage, handling frequency, sex, and poor ventilation correlated with immediate symptoms. In conclusion, dry cleaners are at greater risk of kidney damage linked to PCE exposure, warranting implementation of safety measures and regular health monitoring to protect workers.