Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology

en Salivary Antioxidant Potential and Oral Lesions in Thermal Power Plant Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study Occupational Health Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Air pollution affects the neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, and other systems, posing serious health risks. Lead is a common industrial contaminant that damages tissues, including saliva, and induces oxidative stress. Thermal power plant workers are particularly vulnerable due to occupational exposure. Saliva, the first line of defense against oxidative stress, contains antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). This study aimed to evaluate salivary antioxidant potential and the prevalence of oral lesions among thermal power plant workers, and to assess the impact of occupational oxidative exposure. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two individuals were included: twenty-six thermal power plant workers (Group I) and twenty-six controls (Group II). Saliva samples at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% concentrations were analyzed using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Samples were stored at -20°C. Intraoral examinations recorded oral lesions. Results: Across all concentrations, Group I's mean TAC values were consistently lower than Group II's, although the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Group I's TAC ranged from 1.52 to 3.07 at each concentration level, which was marginally lower than Group II's 2.29 to 3.37 range. Three of the 26 employees at the thermal power plant had oral lesions, whereas none in the control group did. Conclusion: Thermal power plant workers exhibit lower salivary antioxidant levels, indicating a heightened risk of oxidative stress and related health issues.</div> Air Pollution,Occupational Exposure,Environmental Toxicology,Oxidative Stress, 280 285 http://johe.rums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-945-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Anbirselvam Arunmozhi - - arunmozhi28079822@gmail.com 22400319475328460013437 22400319475328460013437 No M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, K.S.R Institute of Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India. - Sundersingh Sam Ponraj Davidson - - sam@ksridsr.edu.in 22400319475328460013438 22400319475328460013438 Yes M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, Senior Lecturer, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India. - Balasubramanian Senthil Kumar - - drsenthilkumar@ksridsr.edu.in 22400319475328460013439 22400319475328460013439 No Professor and Head, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India. - Suman Jhansi Lakshmi - - drkeerthanamagu@ksridsr.edu.in 22400319475328460013440 22400319475328460013440 No Professor, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India. - Selvam Keerthana - - 22400319475328460013441 22400319475328460013441 No M.D.S. in Oral Medicine and Radiology, Reader, K.S.R Institute oF Dental Science and Research, Tiruchengode, Tamilnadu, India -