Background: Printing press workers are occupationally exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals and solvents. Present study was designed to determine the biochemical health profile of printing press workers.

Methods: Cross sectional study was performed in 50 printing press (male) workers (Exposed) and 20 Unexposed (male), age matched, individuals, who were not exposed to printing press environment but lived all around the printing press area. Non-fasting blood samples were collected, from both Exposed and Unexposed, for determining full blood counts, lipid profile, Uric acid and Creatinine.

Results: Mean levels of cholesterol [Mean (SD) mg/dl: 213 (13.0) vs 146 (5.50), P=0.04], triglycerides [Mean (SD) mg/dl: 303 (16.9) vs 196 (7.13), P=0.03] and LDL [Mean (SD) mmol/l: 103 (3.32) vs 42.9 (2.57), P=0.01] were significantly higher in printing press workers than in Unexposed. Additionally, mean total leukocyte count and total lymphocytes, were significantly higher (Mean (SD): 8590 (830) vs. 7100 (542) per cmm, P = 0.04 and 44.8 (2.17) % vs. 33.1 (1.85) % respectively, P = 0.02) while mean neutrophil count was significantly lower (Mean (SD): 46.3 (1.97) % vs. 59.7 (1.88) % respectively, P= 0.03) in printing press workers than in Unexposed.

Conclusion: Exposure to various chemicals in inks may put printing press workers at risk of poor biochemical profile which is an important risk factor for developing non-communicable diseases.