The Effect of Chronic Occupational Exposure to Petroleum Products on Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Petrol Attendants

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic occupational exposure to petroleum products on Hematological indices and liver biochemical profile among petrol station attendants in Enugu, Nigeria.

Subjects and Methods: Ninety participants in Enugu metropolis were recruited comprising of 30 control group (shopkeepers), thirty (30) petrol attendants exposed to these fumes for < 2 years and thirty petrol attendants exposed for > 2 years. Blood samples were collected from all participants for the determination of full blood count and biochemical parameters such as zinc, copper, lead, liver enzyme markers: aspartate and alanine transaminase.

Results: The result revealed a statistically significant decrease (P<0.001) in the mean values of total white blood cell count of the group exposed for >2 years (4.74±0.36 ✕109 /L) when compared to the group exposed for <2 years (5.36±0.70 ✕ 109 /L) and control group (5.77±0.70 ✕ 109 /L). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease (P=0.05) in the mean granulocyte % in the group exposed for >2 years (43.86±10.34%) when compared with the control group (50.89±7.62%). The result also showed a statistical significant decrease (P<0.01) in the mean levels of copper and a statistical significant increase in lead levels (P<0.01) between test group and control. The liver enzyme marker revealed a statistical significant difference (P=0.05) in the mean level of AST.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that petroleum product and its toxic component have a suppressive effect on the total white blood cells, granulocyte, and increases lead content levels and may have an acute hepatotoxic effect with an exponential increase in exposure.