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 volatilefraction during vehicle refueling. The adverse health effects of gasoline exposure may berelated to impairment of the hemopoietic system with bone marrow depression and anincreased risk of developing cancer.
Objective: To assese the hematological parameters among gasoline exposed workers at gasstation in Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia.
Method: A cross sectional study was carried on 43 individuals working in 9 petrol fillingstations and 77 age and sex matched non exposed controls. Socio-demographic and exposureduration of workers were collected using structured questionnaire and observation checklist.Hematological analysis was performed using Sysmex XP -300 and peripheral bloodmorphology 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±1.33and 248.95±58.19) compared with controls (5.35±0.533, 44.95±3.10, 15.59±1.26 and292.45±62.17) at (P<0.05) respectively. The MCH (pg) (30.48±2.06 vs 29.52±1.66) andMCHC (g/l) (34.83±0.988 vs 34.32±0.927) were significantly higher in the exposedcompared 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 examinationreveals basophillic stippling and macrocytosis.
Conclusion: In this study long term exposure to gasoline at gas station has deleterious effecton the RBC indices and platelet. Significant negative correlation was noted between longterm exposures to gasoline and a decrease in HGB, HCT and platelet count. Thus, protecmeasure should be implemented by the concerned ministries with labour union to minimizeexposures to gasoline fuel.
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Keywords
gasoline, petrol, hematological parameters, petroleum