Environmental and Health Effects of Benzene Exposure among Egyptian Taxi Drivers

Abstract

Objectives To study environmental exposure to benzene as well as hematological effects of benzene exposure in taxi drivers. Background Exposure to benzene has been associated with adverse health effects, including haematopoietic disorders. Methods A retrospective cohort study was carried out from the beginning of April 2017, through the end of June 2018, on 280 taxi drivers (the exposed group) and 120 unexposed matched individuals (controls). The tools included a predesigned self-administered questionnaire which contained questions about personal data (e.g., age, educational level, and smoking) and exposure data (e.g., duration and nature of exposure). Investigations involved complete blood count. Environmental studies for light-chain aromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX components: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) were done. Results Mean values (ppm) of ambient concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (0.81 ± 0.42, 26.69 ± 0.54, 29.36 ± 2.35, and 25.11 ± 2.06, respectively) in the stations were higher than international permissible levels (P < 0.001). On studying the clinical manifestations during the last two weeks, the prevalence of pallor, dizziness, headache, waist and back pain, fatigue, dry throat, and discomfort was significantly higher in taxi drivers (27.1%, 24.3%, 21.4%, 28.6%, 45.7%, 24.3%, and 25.7%, respectively) than among the controls (6.7%, 4.2%, 6.7%, 10%, 10%, 6.7%, 6.7%, and 9.2%, respectively). For chronic diseases, hypertension was the most prevalent chronic disease among the drivers (17.1%) than the controls (5.8%) (P=0.002). Regarding self-assessment of health status, 20.0% of taxi drivers reported poor health while 31.4% reported very good health (P < 0.001). MCH (pg), TLC (×103/μl), and platelets (×103/μl) were significantly lower among taxi drivers (26.33 ± 2.31, 6.55 ± 1.38, and 189.07 ± 53.25, respectively) (P=0.005, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively). Conclusion Abnormal hematological findings among taxi drivers were found on exposure to benzene. Health of taxi drivers is generally affected. Setting a clinic for periodic checkup and health education for taxi drivers is highly recommended.

Haematological Changes in Benzene Exposed Workers in Sudan

“…Table 4, 5 These ndings come in agreement with previous studies conducted by Abozer et al, (16) Alfadaly et al, (19) and Liu et al (20) who con rmed signi cantly higher lymphocyte count and lymphocytosis among long-term benzene exposure. The same results recorded in the previous studies (21,22) regarding increased MCHC. However, other studies stated decreased RBCs counts in participants exposed to benzene compared with the non-exposed groups conversely the increased RBCs count ndings in this study.…”

“…However, other studies stated decreased RBCs counts in participants exposed to benzene compared with the non-exposed groups conversely the increased RBCs count ndings in this study. (19,21,23,24) Furthermore, the study results illustrated in Table 4 and Table 5 showed a signi cant reduction in the means of PCV, Hb, MCH, MCV, PLTs count, Monocyte counts, and the Neutrophil counts among benzene station workers compared with the healthy individuals. These ndings are in agreement with many studies (21,23,25) reported a decrease in PLTs count and decreases in MCH among benzene exposure workers and with the study, (26) who reported a reduction in Hb concentration.…”

“…(19,21,23,24) Furthermore, the study results illustrated in Table 4 and Table 5 showed a signi cant reduction in the means of PCV, Hb, MCH, MCV, PLTs count, Monocyte counts, and the Neutrophil counts among benzene station workers compared with the healthy individuals. These ndings are in agreement with many studies (21,23,25) reported a decrease in PLTs count and decreases in MCH among benzene exposure workers and with the study, (26) who reported a reduction in Hb concentration. The ndings also agree with previous studies (22,24,26) which stated the same results regarding decreases of PCV.…”

Acarbose Protects From Central and Peripheral Metabolic Imbalance Induced by Benzene Exposure

“…Diabetes is a major public health problem that is approaching epidemic proportions globally, and pollutants in the air or at home have been associated with diabetes [54]. Benzene exposure through the human lifespan is inevitable [6][7][8][9][10]. Drinking contaminated water or eating food that has been exposed to contaminated water, smoking cigarettes, or breathing secondhand cigarette smoke, exposure to e-cigarettes vaping, use of paint or detergent products, vehicle exhaust or gasoline, it's all part of the daily routine [55].…”

“…Benzene concentrations vary depending on geographic location [4,5], duration or route of exposure, and individual susceptibility factors such as age, gender or lifestyle. Various sources of benzene exposure include drinking contaminated water or food, smoking cigarettes, breathing secondhand cigarette smoke, vehicle exhaust or petroleum fuels, vaping e-cigarettes, using paint or detergent products [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. While values of ambient benzene air concentrations in the U.S. have typically been <1 ppm (parts per million), significantly higher levels can be experienced as a result of various environmental factors [15] [16].…”