Hazardous Impact of Coal Dust on Hematological Parameters of Underground Coal Mine Workers

Abstract

Due to the nature of their work, coal miners have historically faced significant exposure to large amounts of dust, placing them at a heightened risk. The present study was conducted to explore the hazardous effects of inhalation of coal dust on the haematological parameters of underground coal miners. 120 underground coal miners (60 workers having 5-10 years of experience and the other 60 having 10-20 years of experience) and 62 matched non-exposed to coal dust subjects as control from the locality were recruited for the study. After obtaining consent, different physiological parameters were measured, and blood was collected for assessment of haematological parameters. Observations revealed that there were lower mean values of total RBC count, haemoglobin level, MCV, PCV, MCHC and MCH in coal mine workers whereas mean values of Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and ESR were increased in the workers group. Further, coal dust exposure causes increased total leucocyte to count as well as a differential count of lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil in the workers group but, a decreased differential count of basophils was detected among coal dust-exposed workers. All the changes in haematological parameters were found to occur experience-dependent and maximum changes were observed in workers having 10-20 years of working experience. There is a significant likelihood of coal mine workers experiencing changes in their blood composition, which suggests the harmful impact of coal dust on this group. Further, haematological parameters will help health professionals to screen any pathologic conditions and may help to prevent coal dust exposure-associated haematological disorders and complications thereof.