Effect of Gasoline Exposure on Hematological Parameters of Gas Station Workers in Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background:The adverse health effects of chronic gasoline exposure may be related to impairment of the hematopoietic system with bone marrow suppression, an increased risk of blood cell morphology abnormality and developing cancer. Objective: To assess the effect of gasoline exposure on hematological parameters among gas station workers in Mekelle City, Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 43 subjects (exposed group) and 77 subjects (unexposed group) with matched age and sex. Socio-demographic characteristics and duration of exposure data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. Sysmex XP-300 was used for hematological analysis and stained peripheral blood smear was examined for any abnormality. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Of exposed individuals, 28/43 (65.1%) and 49/77 (63.6%) of controls were males. The average exposure time was 5.19±4.38 years, with an average working hour of 11.74 ±1.89 hours/day. The mean RBC count (10 12 /L), HCT (%), HGB (g/dl) and platelets count (10 9 /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/ dl) (34.83±0.988 vs 34.32±0.927) were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with controls (p<0.05). HCT, RBC, HGB and platelet counts were significantly decreased with increased years of exposure (p<0.05). The peripheral blood film examination revealed basophilic stippling and macrocytosis in 9.3% of the exposed group. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to gasoline at gas stations affected RBC parameters and platelet count. A significant negative correlation was noted between duration of exposure and HGB, HCT and platelet count, warranting implementation of protective measures at gas stations.

Inflammatory and proapoptotic effects of inhaling gasoline fumes on the lung and ameliorative effects of fenugreek seeds

“…The present study also indicated a significant reduction in RBCs count, Hb content, HCT%, MCV, and MCH in gasoline-exposed rats compared to the control. These results agreed with the data of Teklu et al 44 , who attributed this to the cytotoxic effects of the benzene constituent of gasoline, which depresses hematopoiesis in bone marrow, causing aplastic anemia. Moreover, naphthalene, as one of the gasoline constituents, is also known to affect the red cell membranes, leading to hemoglobin denaturation and hemolytic anemia 45 .…”

Blood Lead Level and Biochemical Changes Among Gasoline Stations Workers Exposed to Benzene in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia

“…All these investigations declared that exposure to different chemicals including benzene at working place has an adverse effect on the cholesterol level. Since cholesterol is one of the important predictors of cardiovascular diseases, these workers are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases [12]. For blood creatinine level, our result showed that exposed workers had no evident effect on blood creatinine level (p>0.05), according to the investigation of the methodology used in this study (Table 4).…”

Akaryakit İstasyonunda Çalişanlarin Ki̇myasallara Maruzi̇yeti̇

“…Ayrıca ortalama hücre hemoglobini ve ortalama hücre hemoglobin konsantrasyonu, maruz kalan katılımcılarda kontrol grubu ile karşılaştırıldığında, önemli ölçüde daha yüksek olarak belirtilmiştir. Ek olarak bu çalışmada hematokrit seviyeleri, kırmızı kan hücresi sayısı, hemoglobin konsantrasyonu, trombosit sayısı, platelet hacmi, lenfosit yüzdesi ve nötrofil yüzdesi gibi hematolojik parametrelerin, maruz kalma süresi arttıkça azaldığı bildirilmiştir [28]. Diğer bir çalışmada akaryakıt istasyonu çalışanlarının benzen, ksilen, etilbenzen ve toluen gibi genotoksik kimyasallara maruziyet sonucunda meydana gelen genotoksisite profilleri incelenmiştir.…”