Assessment of hematological parameters among gasoline exposed workers at gas station in Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: Petrol station attendants are chronically exposed to gasolineof the volatile
fraction during vehicle refueling. The adverse health effects of gasoline exposure may be
related to impairment of the hemopoietic system with bone marrow depression and an
increased risk of developing cancer.
Objective: To assese the hematological parameters among gasoline exposed workers at gas
station in Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.
Method: A cross sectional study was carried on 43 individuals working in 9 petrol filling
stations and 77 age and sex matched non exposed controls. Socio-demographic and exposure
duration of workers were collected using structured questionnaire and observation checklist.
Hematological analysis was performed using Sysmex XP -300 and peripheral blood
morphology was determined. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results: 28/43 (65.1%) of exposed individuals and 49/77 (63.6%) of controls were males.
The average exposure time was 5.19 ± 4.38 years with an average workig hour of 11.74 ±
1.89 hours/day. The mean RBC count (1012/L), HCT (%), HGB (g/dl) and platelets count
(109/l) of the exposed group were significantly lower (4.88±0.573, 43.29±3.71, 15.04±1.33
and 248.95±58.19) compared with controls (5.35±0.533, 44.95±3.10, 15.59±1.26 and
292.45±62.17) at (P<0.05) respectively. The MCH (pg) (30.48±2.06 vs 29.52±1.66) and
MCHC (g/l) (34.83±0.988 vs 34.32±0.927) were significantly higher in the exposed
compared with controls (P<0.05). HCT, RBC, HGB and platelets count were significantly
decreased with increased year of exposure (P<0.05). The peripheral blood film examination
reveals basophillic stippling and macrocytosis.
Conclusion: In this study long term exposure to gasoline at gas station has deleterious effect
on the RBC indices and platelet. Significant negative correlation was noted between long
term exposures to gasoline and a decrease in HGB, HCT and platelet count. Thus, protective
measure should be implemented by the concerned ministries with labour union to minimize
exposures to gasoline fuel.
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Keywords
gasoline, petrol, hematological parameters, petroleum