المجلة الدولية للعلوم والتقنية

Dental laboratory technicians (DLT) have multiple occupational exposures to metal dusts, which may have adverse effect on their health either due to the direct contact or due to the chronic toxicity of some heavy metals such as lead, nickel or chromium. These elements are components of dusts arise from grinding and polishing of metals, alloys, resins, ceramics, plaster and abrasions used for polishing or acrylate. This research aimed to threw a light on hazards that affect dental laboratory technicians in Libya and studying some biochemical changes associating with it. 106 adult cases of both sexes were used in this study. 67 of them were from dental laboratory technician who worked in that field since 5-35 years; the remaining cases (39) were healthy persons worked in jobs a way from exposure to industrial pollution, and were used as control. Results of blood serum analysis showed insignificant increase in the mean value of lead. Recent researches considered that lead and nickel as chemical carcinogens material, especially after proofing of some studies to presence of direct correlation between cancer and elevation of their levels in blood. Medical care and periodical examinations of dental laboratory technicians must be done, furthermore, safety control, good ventilation and avoidance of pollutions in Dental laboratories must be considered. keywords: occupational diseases, lead poisoning, blood serum, heavy metal elements, dental technicians