Relationship between environmental pollution in Manzala Lake and health profile of fishermen

Manzala Lake exposed to many pollutants including untreated sewage, agricultural and industrial wastes which increase the concentration of heavy metals, and compromise the health state of the fishermen. This study investigated 100 fishermen and 100 males of other occupations as controls. Both groups work in and live on and around the lake. Clinical examination revealed no significant changes between the fishermen and control group as regards the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and dermatological systems. However, the urinary, musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in fishermen than in control males. There was a significant decrease in neutrophils (48.8%) and a significant increase in lymphocytes and eosinophils (35.4% and 9%), respectively. Hepatotoxicity was evidenced by an increase in serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. There were no significant differences in serum creatinine and urea between fishermen and control. Levels of lead, cadmium and mercury in water and sediment were 0.26, 0.014, 0.002 mg/l, and 33.5, 1.37, 0.28 micrograms/kg, respectively. Levels of the three heavy metals in the fish samples and serum of fishermen and control males in average were 1.06, 0.18, 0.00025 ppm, 523, 33.5, 13.7 micrograms/l and 374, 12.8 11.2 micrograms/l, respectively. This study aimed to establish the relation between the environmental pollution and the health status of the population inhabiting the contaminated areas.