Abstract
Objective. To describe selected biochemical and hematological parameters (blood picture, liver enzymes, and kidney functions) in petrol station attendants in Mansoura city. Methods. This is a comparative cross-sectional study. The exposed group included 102 petrol station attendants. They were compared to a matched group of healthy 102 male service and office workers at the Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University. The results of blood picture, liver enzymes, and kidney functions were compared between both groups. Results. Mean Red Blood Cells (RBCs) count, hemoglobin level, and Hematocrit (HCT) level were significantly lower in petrol station attendants than the comparison group. All other blood picture parameters showed nonsignificant difference between both groups. Liver enzymes, renal functions, serum albumin, and total protein showed statistically nonsignificant difference between both groups except for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) which was significantly higher in petrol station attendants. Conclusions. Some laboratory parameters among petrol station attendants showed changes that could be attributed to workplace exposure and should be given attention at preemployment and periodic medical examination.
Highlights
Petrol is a mixture of volatile hydrocarbons, while diesel fuel is a distillate of petroleum which contains paraffins, alkenes, and aromatics [1].Fuel filling station attendants (FFSAs) are exposed to a mixture of hydrocarbons in fuel vapours during dispensing fuel and to the gases from vehicular exhaust [2]
Petrol station attendants matched the comparison group in all sociodemographic and occupational profile items except for the median duration of smoking which was longer in petrol station attendants (Table 1)
Mean Red Blood Cells (RBCs) count, hemoglobin level and the percent anemic, and HCT level were significantly lower in petrol station attendants than the comparison group
Summary
Petrol (or gasoline) is a mixture of volatile hydrocarbons, while diesel fuel is a distillate of petroleum which contains paraffins, alkenes, and aromatics [1]. Fuel (petrol and diesel) filling station attendants (FFSAs) are exposed to a mixture of hydrocarbons in fuel vapours during dispensing fuel and to the gases from vehicular exhaust [2]. The volume of fuel dispensed as well as the ambient temperature contributes significantly to the increased emission of volatile hydrocarbons. Certain people have a greater risk of exposure to gasoline vapors; these include filling station workers, service station attendants, drivers of gasoline trucks, and refinery workers. The volatile nature of petrol products makes them readily available in the atmosphere any time it is dispensed, especially at petrol filling stations and depots [4]
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