The Effects of Air Pollution Exposure on The Different Serum and Saliva Proteins Levels: A Pilot Study on The Workers at HFO Combustion Unit in AL- Dora Electricity Station/ Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Many studies reported that exposure to hazardous air conditions such as chemicals, fumes, diesel exhaust affects human health and become a major concern globally. Body proteins play central roles in cell structure and functions. Aim: Although exposure to such exposure at the workplace has negative effects on health. This pilot study aimed to follow the changes in the total protein [T], albumin [A], globulin [G], and [A/ G] ratio in the sera and saliva samples of workers who are exposed to the fume emitted from heavy fuel oil (HFO) combustion unit. Participants and Methods: Workers (N=59) at the heavy fuel oil combustion unit in electricity station of Al-Dora station/ Baghdad/ Iraq and 53 unexposed age and gender matched healthy individuals were the participants of this study. The levels of serum and salivary total proteins and albumin were measured, and the level of globulins and albumin / globulin ratio were calculated. Results: There were variations in both serum and salivary total protein [TP], albumin [A], globulin [G] and [A]/ [G]ratio between that of the workers group and the control healthy group. The impact of the fume combustion on the studied biochemical parameters were further analyzed based on the workers age, period of their service, smoking habit and using of safety equipment. Conclusion:The results of this pilot study showed that the impact of the air pollution resulted from the HFO combustion on salivary [TP], [A], [G] and [A]/ [G] ratio was more than that on the serum of the workers' group.