Gasoline Fumes Research Articles

Association of CYP2E1 and CYP1A1m2 (BsrD1) polymorphisms with cytogenetic biomarkers in petrol pump workers

Petrol pump workers are occupationally exposed to benzene through their contact with gasoline vapors. The toxicity of benzene has been related to its metabolism. This study investigated the association of CYP2E1 and CYP1A1m2 with sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and tail moment (TM) value in workers occupationally exposed to gasoline fumes. Blood and urine samples were collected from 50 petrol pump workers and 50 control individuals matched with respect to age and other confounding factors except for exposure to benzene through gasoline vapors. To determine the benzene exposure, hydroquinone level was analyzed in urinary samples of exposed and control individuals. Urinary mean hydroquinone level was found to be significantly high (p < 0.05) in exposed workers. Our results showed that mean SCE frequency and TM value were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in exposed workers (5.56 ± 0.80 and 19.50 ± 2.16 μm, respectively) than control individuals (2.83 ± 0.39 and 1.00 ± 0.00 μm, respectively). Regarding the effect of CYP2E1 polymorphism, it was found that mutant genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous) showed significant high mean frequency of SCE (6.11 ± 0.51 and 5.98 ± 0.54, respectively) and TM (16.13 ± 4.36 μm and 13.24 ± 2.24 μm, respectively) value in exposed individuals (p < 0.05). With regard to the CYP1A1m2 polymorphism, it was observed that mutant genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous) had higher but nonsignificant mean value of SCE frequency (5.86 ± 1.07 and 5.86 ± 1.07, respectively) and significantly higher TM value (14.97 ± 3.74 μm and 13.93 ± 2.23 μm, respectively) in exposed individuals.

Exposure to Vehicle Exhaust Causes Decline in Lung Functions

Introduction: Air pollution from vehicles is an inevitable part of the workers at gasoline stations. A long-term exposure to such air pollution of vehicles exhaust would leads to damaging effects on general health and the pulmonary function in particular. A number of studies have found an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms in populations live near roadways with high traffic counts. Aims and Objectives: The present study was aimed to investigate the extent of pulmonary function changes due to exposure to exhaust vehicles on car maintenance workers at gas stations in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, we also assessed the relationship between the duration of the service at the gas stations with pulmonary function decline. Materials and Methods: Twenty males aged from 18-40 years whom working in gas stations as a cars mechanics were recruited in this study. Studied subjects were categorized into two groups, depending on the duration of the exposure (first group > 5-years; second group < 5 years). Pulmonary function parameters were measured as FEV1, FVC and FEV%, using portable spirometry during their working hours. For air pollution, MIRAN SapphIRe Portable Ambiant Analyzer, GrayWolf and Aerosol and Dust Monitors were used and its value was compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Saudi standards. Results: Shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pain were the most prevalent symptoms among workers. Workers with less than 5 years showed symptoms as follow: 10%, 30% and 25%; while the workers with more than 5 years: 30%, 35% and 30%. FVC (L) and FEV1 (L) data showed significant decrease compared to the control group (ANOVA p=0.006; ANOVA p=0.007), while FEV1% (FEV1/ FVC) value showed significant increase compared to the control group (ANOVA p=0.001). Air pollution data showed a significant increase in dust, NO2, VOC and SO2 comparing with WHO and Saudi Standards. Conclusions: Gasoline fumes showed to have adverse effects on pulmonary functions of car maintenance workers at gas stations especially in lower airways with restrictive type of pulmonary disease. In order to prevent lung damage in car maintenance workers at gas stations, awareness programs should be conducted and periodic medical pulmonary function tests checkups should be conducted to detect any pulmonary function impairment at the earliest.

Source identification and assessment of sediment contamination of trace metals in Kogarah Bay, NSW, Australia.

The distribution of trace metals (spatial and temporal) and sedimentary fractions were investigated to identify the concentrations and sources of trace metals within Kogarah Bay, NSW, Australia. A total of 59 surface sediments and six subsurface samples from core of the sediment were collected. The contamination factor and pollution load index indices used to evaluate environmental effects of trace metals. The study area was found to be uncontaminated with Cr and Ni, moderately contaminated with As and considerably contaminated with Cu, Zn and Pb. The concentrations of Cr and Ni were below both effect range low and effect range median, while As, Cu, Zn and Pb were slightly above effect range low. The highest concentrations of these trace metals such as Cu, Zn and Pb were found in the north, northwest and southeast of the bay, close to discharge points, stormwater outlets and around boatyards and watercrafts. The spatial distributions of metals were strongly related to muddy particles and organic matter. The temporal sediments of metals declined with increased sediment depth, which reflects accumulation of trace metals since European settlement in this area. Furthermore, the source of the trace metals was found to be stormwater outlets, gasoline fumes, boatyards and other human activities.

Air Quality and Respiratory Health among Adolescents from the United Arab Emirates.

Purpose. To examine the role of air quality in relation to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, wheeze, and dry cough among adolescents from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods. A survey was administered on 6,363 adolescents from 9 UAE regions. Data consists of demographic, socioeconomic, residential, and behavioural variables, such as location of residence, residing near industry/gas stations/dumpsites/construction sites, residing near overhead power line/plants, exposure to tobacco, residential exposure, ethnicity, concern over air pollution, smoking, and purposely smelling gasoline fumes/glue/correctors/car exhaust/burning black ants. Logistic regression modeling was used to determine significant predictors of respiratory health. Results. Asthma prevalence was 12.3%, followed by chronic bronchitis (1.8%) and emphysema (0.5%). Overall 12.2% reported wheeze and 34.8% reported a dry nocturnal cough in the past year. Multivariate analyses suggest that sex is a significant predictor of asthma and dry cough. Exposure to tobacco and arts/crafts/ceramics/stain is significant predictor of respiratory health. Tobacco smoking and purposely smelling gasoline fumes/glue/correctors/car exhaust/burning black ants are significant predictors of wheeze and dry cough. Conclusions. This study suggests that exposure to air quality and behavioral factors such as smoking and purposely smelling gasoline fumes, glue, correctors, car exhaust, or burning black ants are significant predictors of respiratory health among UAE adolescents.

Anguishing Reports of Ambient Air Pollution in Tehran Capital of Iran

Benzene is the aromatic hydrocarbon, organic and petrochemicals. It has high octane number and used as ethybenzene. It composed a few percent of gasoline mass less than 1%. Benzene was used before 1950 but after that year replaced with tetraethyl lead. The recent material was associated with environmental pollution so came back again benzene in the petrol cycle production. Human is exposed withbenzeneby several ruts; gasoline fumes, motor vehicle exhaust, and smoking. Inhalation is the main route of toxicity in urban area. Standard threshold of benzene concentration is 1.56 part per billion (PPB) in accepted air quality. The current study displayed that benzene concentrationin Tehran (capital of Iran) was between 2-20 times higher than the standard (1). This is the first official report published aboutambient air pollution in 2013. However,IranMinistry of Health announced that Asbestos and benzene levels had 50-100, respectively. It means that there were 10 times more than standard levels in the Tehran urban area(2). These materials, specially benzeneBenzene has potential ability as cancer risk factor to inducing acute and chronic bloods leukemia (3). In addition, there arerelations between benzene exposure and lung cancer (4). Benzene can induce aryl hydrocarbon receptor which leads to tumorigenesis (5). The vision of information dictates assumption of planning in two aspects. The arrangement may be suggestedthat the sources of pollutants will be reduced in the environment thought activation of dependable organizations and investigation of at-risk population based on the prioritizes.

Evaluation and comparison of pulmonary function tests in petrol pump workers Vs individuals unexposed to petrol fumes

Background: Petrol pump attendants are the norm rather than self- service, increasing the opportunity for exposure to petrol fumes during refuelling. Long term exposure to petrol vapours has shown to affect the different physiological systems in the body with the highest impact on the respiratory system.The present study aims to evaluate and compare the combined effect of petrol fumes and automobile exhaust on pulmonary functions in petrol station attendants and normal unexposed subjects. Methods: The present study was conducted among 50 petrol pump workers working in refuelling areas and 51 individuals who were not occupationally exposed to petrol fumes. Demographic and anthropometric details were collected and pulmonary function tests were performed on both the groups. Results: : The mean age of the exposed and unexposed group was 27.48 ± 6.54 and 25.12 ±6.68 respectively. The present study involved 26 females (Exposed -11 and Unexposed-15) and 56 males (Exposed- 20 and Unexposed- 36).The mean BMI of the exposed and unexposed group was 22.14±3.04 and 23.86±4.93 respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to age and BMI. Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) declined significantly (p < 0.005) in the exposed group when compared to the unexposed group. Conclusion: Periodic medical surveillance inclusive of pulmonary function testing should be insisted among petrol pump workers. In addition, the development of appropriate equipment for monitoring and testing for environmental elements in the community and in workers would prove to be beneficial. Key words: FEV1, PEFR and FVC, Petrol fumes, automobile exhaust.

Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Fumes on Plasma Antioxidant Defense System in Petrol Attendants

Several studies have reported toxicological implications of inhalational exposure to petrol fumes in animal models; however, there is little or no documentation on the probable effect of exposure in human subjects. This study investigated the relationship between exposure to petrol fumes and lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels among petrol station attendants in Ibadan, South-West Nigeria A total of 150 subjects consisting of 100 petrol attendants and 50 control subjects were recruited. Ten mL of blood was collected from ante-cubital vein of subjects for analysis. Results reveal that exposure to petrol fumes is associated with oxidative stress. Significant (p<0.001) elevation of malondialdehyde was associated with marked decreases in superoxide dismutase (p<0.01), catalase (p<0.001) and glutathione (p<0.05) when compared with the control. Chain breaking antioxidant vitamins results include significant (p<0.05) decreases in vitamin E and no significant difference in vitamin C (p>0.05) when compared with control. Also there was a significant decrease in total protein (p<0.05) but no significant difference in albumin (p>0.05) in petrol attendants compared with the control. Our findings imply that exposure to petroleum fumes is a risk factor and is associated with oxidative stress which raises the need for public awareness about the health hazards in order to enable petrol attendants to take necessary precautionary measures.

Reduced Haematological Indices in Auto-Mechanics and Fuel Attendants in Elele Nigeria

Gasoline is largely a mixture of hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon consists of mixture of n-paraffins, naphthalene, olefins and aromatics. Aromatics is mostly a mixture of benzene, toluene and xylene. Fuel attendants and auto mechanics are exposed to gasoline either by direct contact or inhalation. The effect of this exposure in fuel attendants and auto mechanics is determined using haematological parameters. 35 fuel attendants and 35 auto mechanics were used as test group and compared with 30 apparently healthy individuals of same age range. Some haematological parameters were determined using standard manual methods. RBC, Hb, MCH and MCHC were reduced (p < 0.05) in fuel attendants and auto mechanics when compared with control. Fuel attendants exposed to gasoline fumes beyond 2 years have lower (p < 0.05) PCV, Hb, MCH and MCHC than those exposed for 2 years or less while auto mechanics of over two years had their RBC, Hb, MCH and MCHC significantly lower (p < 0.05) than auto mechanics of two years and below. Auto mechanics and fuel attendants are exposed to gasoline vapour leading to decreased haematological indices. Fuel attendants are more at risk than auto mechanics and could be at risk of developing anaemia over time.

Photoaging

Photoaging

Relationship between exposure to petrol products and the trace metal status, liver toxicity and hematological markers in gasoline filling workers in Sulaimani city

Objective: Long-term occupational exposure to gasoline fumes have been reported to have toxic effects on various organs and systems. The present study was designed to evaluate the expected toxic effects of long-term exposure to petrol products in gasoline filling workers within Sulaimani city area. Method: This study was carried out on 48 adult subjects, with age range between 27 to 65 years, who work in gasoline filling stations and exposed to different fuel derivatives for not less than 5 years. Twenty seven healthy subjects, matched with age with workers, with no access to such type of occupational exposure were included as controls. Venous blood (10 ml) was taken from each subject and immediately transferred into 2 tubes, 3 ml in a tube containing potassium EDTA anticoagulant and 7ml in a plain tube for preparing serum. The blood samples obtained were analyzed for hematologic markers, while the serum was utilized for estimation of liver enzymes (GOT, GPT), bilirubin and the levels of copper, zinc and iron. Result: The results showed that liver enzymes and serum levels of Cu, and Zn were significantly increased, while serum Fe and platelets count were significantly decreased. Conclusion: Long-term exposure to petroleum derivatives increases the risk of liver and hematopoietic toxicity.

Fuel, Cars and the Geography of Petrol Sniffing

The petrol which kids and adults are sniffing, well it's really bad. It makes people Ustless, and will make you sick. It will burn you away, your lungs, liver, brains, heart, eyes. Tell them immediately to stop, you mothers, fathers and anyone else. The PoUce and the Council have said [this]. Your children, and your sibUngs, tell them off quick. They could increase in number, and their breathing could be impaired from sniffing. If they sniff all the time it will increase. Petrol isn't milk, cool drink, or water, no - it belongs to motor vehicles. You aren't a car, no you're a person. Take it easy, drink water, cool drinks, milk.1 Inhaling petrol fumes in order to achieve a euphoric mood is usually discussed as a form of social pathology - after all, it is a deviance made more ilUcit and peculiar because the substance (petrol) is not intended, or designed, to be a drug; its real purpose lies elsewhere. The intensification of the drug-using activity we have come to know as 'petrol sniffing' was intimately Unked to the exponential rise in Aboriginal ownership of vehicles and the availabihty of petrol. Ironically though, it has been the fuel itself in a modified form that has, in the end, helped to curb the practice. This essay provides a brief ethnographic review of sniffing and the unanticipated consequences of automobiUty. Many of the ideas here draw on original anthropological fieldwork undertaken by the author in several parts of remote Australia.2 Most people are surprised to learn that the deliberate sniffing of petrol has been reported among Aboriginal AustraUans for more than 60 years. Two prominent Aboriginal men, the late Charles Perkins and Bob Randall, recalled that, as children in the 1940s, they had experimented with petrol sniffing at the institution known as The Bungalow in Alice Springs.3 Apart from this specific report, a folklore of sniffing has become established, attributing its origins to imitative behaviour in which Aboriginal people were said to have copied the activities of American servicemen stationed on northern coasts during World War II. Verifying this rumour is difficult; there are no official reports of servicemen inhaling petrol fumes.4 Perhaps it is worth remembering that American servicemen were said to be responsible for the advent of glue sniffing in the United Kingdom as well.5 In Australia the first written documentation of the practice dates from 1950, when a report noted that Aboriginal people were sniffing petrol on the Co bourg Peninsula, a tract of tropical land north-east of Darwin. Historians know the peninsula because it was the site of two failed nineteenth-century British settlements, at Raffles Bay and Port Essington. The petrol being sniffed on this occasion was not sourced from cars - it came from a sawmill that had started operations in the 1920s and which employed Aboriginal men from the surrounding region. These men were accompanied by their wives and children. In 1950, a government patrol officer found that some of the 'natives' were 'disposed to inhale the fumes' of the petrol powering the mill, and he locked it up out of harm's way.6 When these people returned to their communities - mostly dotted along the coastline to the east of the peninsula - those who had been experimenting with sniffing the fumes took with them the knowledge they had acquired. They had learned that petrol fumes could make you see and hear imaginary things - an experience not felt before. These returning workers inadvertently sparked the diffusion of a substance use that spread across Arnhem Land 'like fire' (as one local Aboriginal man put it), which was to cause angst, despair and death in the decades to come.7 Using petrol as a drug is not confined to Aboriginal people in Australia, but is part of a global landscape of drug use. It seems inevitably to be a fringe drug - a substance used by a subset of young people who are themselves a minority group within a society. …

Petrol Sniffing Interventions Among Australian Indigenous Communities Through Product Substitution: From Skunk Juice to Opal

Inhalation of petrol (gasoline) fumes has been prevalent in some Australian Indigenous communities since World War II, and has led to a continuing quest for an effective method of preventing the practice either by modifying the substance or by substituting nonharmful alternatives. This article traces the results of this search, beginning with the addition of ethyl mercaptan, then describing the substitution of aviation fuel for conventional vehicle fuel, and concluding with the staged introduction of Opal—a vehicle fuel containing low levels of aromatic hydrocarbons—throughout many communities from 2005. The article assesses the benefits and limitations of supply reduction methods.

Triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats exposed to premium motor spirit fumes

Background:Deliberate and regular exposure to premium motor spirit fumes is common and could be a risk factor for liver disease in those who are occupationally exposed. A possible association between premium motor spirit fumes and plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol using a rodent model could provide new insights in the pathology of diseases where cellular dysfunction is an established risk factor.Aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of premium motor spirit fumes on lipids and lipoproteins in workers occupationally exposed to premium motor spirit fumes using rodent model.Materials and Methods:Twenty-five Wister albino rats (of both sexes) were used for this study between the 4th of August and 7th of September, 2010. The rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group 1 rats were not exposed to premium motor spirit fumes (control group), group 2 rats were exposed for 1 hour daily, group 3 for 3 hours daily, group 4 for 5 hours daily and group 5 for 7 hours daily. The experiment lasted for a period of 4 weeks. Blood samples obtained from all the groups after 4 weeks of exposure were used for the estimation of plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein- cholesterol and low density lipoprotein- cholesterol.Result:Results showed significant increase in means of plasma total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels (P<0.05). The mean triglyceride and total body weight were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the exposed group when compared with the unexposed. The plasma level of high density lipoprotein, the ratio of low density lipoprotein to high density lipoprotein and the ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein did not differ significantly in exposed subjects when compared with the control group.Conclusion:These results showed that frequent exposure to petrol fumes may be highly deleterious to the liver cells.

Exposure of petrol station attendants and auto mechanics to premium motor sprit fumes in Calabar, Nigeria.

A population-based-cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the potential risk of exposure to premium motor spirit (PMS) fumes in Calabar, Nigeria, among Automobile Mechanics (AM), Petrol Station Attendants (PSA) and the general population. Structured questionnaire was administered on the randomly chosen subjects to elicit information on their exposure to PMS. Duration of exposure was taken as the length of work in their various occupations. Venous blood was taken for methaemoglobin (MetHb) and packed cells volume (PCV). Mean MetHb value was higher in AM (7.3%) and PSA (5.8%) than in the subjects from the general population (2.7%). PCV was lower in PSA (30.8%), than AM (33.3%) and the subjects from the general population (40.8%). MetHb level was directly proportional, and PCV inversely related, to the duration of exposure. The study suggested increased exposure to petrol fumes among AM, PSA, and MetHb as a useful biomarker in determining the level of exposure to benzene in petrol vapour.

Multipronged evaluation of genotoxicity in Indian petrol‐pump workers

Petrol (gasoline) contains a number of toxicants. This study used human biomonitoring to evaluate the genotoxic effects of exposure to benzene in petrol fumes in 100 Indian petrol-pump workers (PPWs) and an equal number of controls. The study was corroborated with in silico assessments of the Comet assay results from the human biomonitoring study. An in vitro study in human lymphocytes was also conducted to understand the genotoxicity of benzene and its metabolites. In a subset of the population studied, higher blood benzene levels were detected in the PPWs (n = 39; P < 0.01) than the controls (n = 18), and 100-250 ppb benzene was also detected in air samples from the petrol pumps. PPWs had higher levels of DNA damage than the controls (P < 0.01). In addition, the micronucleus assay was performed on lymphocytes from a subset of the subjects, and the micronucleus frequency for PPWs was significantly higher (n = 39; 14.79 +/- 3.92 per thousand) than the controls (n = 18; 7.54 +/- 3.00 per thousand). Human lymphocytes were treated in vitro with benzene and several of its metabolites and assayed for DNA damage with the Comet assay. Benzene and its metabolites produced significant (P < 0.05) levels of DNA damage at and above concentrations of 10 microM. The metabolite, p-benzoquinone, produced the greatest amount of DNA damage, followed by hydroquinone > benzene > catechol > 1,2,4,-benzenetriol > muconic acid. This study demonstrates that, using sensitive techniques, it is possible to detect human health risks at an early stage when intervention is possible. possible.

Iconic Consciousness: The Material Feeling of Meaning

‘‘Unfortunately, the healing power of thought seems to be the same faculty that diminishes the personal sense of experience. A casual reference to a hair on a nose weighs more than the most important concept, and acts, feelings, and sensations, when reported in words, can make one feel one has been present at a more or less notable personal event, however ordinary and impersonal the acts, feelings, and sensations may be. ‘It’s idiotic’, Ulrich thought, ‘but that’s how it is.’ It made him think of that dumb but deep, exciting sensation, touching immediately on the self, when one sniffs one’s own skin. He stood up and pulled the curtains back from the window. The bark of the trees was still moist from the morning. On the street outside a violet haze of gasoline fumes hovered. The sun shone through it, and people were moving along briskly. It was an asphalt spring, a seasonless spring day in autumn such as only cities can conjure up.’’

Effect of Inhalation Exposure to Gasoline on Sex Hormones Profile in Wistar Albino Rats

adult male and 12 female Wistar albino rats were used to measure the levels of the serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the luteinizing hormone (LH), the estradiol (E2) and the progesterone in female rats, as well as the FSH, the LH and the testosterone in male rats, following 8-hour daily inhalation exposure to gasoline vapours for 6 weeks, to assess the effect of the vapours on the reproductive integrity of experimental animals. The results showed that the levels of serum FSH and LH obtained for female rats in the test group (3.48±0.03 and 19.97±1.20mIU/ml, respectively) were insignificantly lower (p>0.05), compared respectively to the levels obtained for female rats in the control group (3.62±0.12 and 20.06±0.23mlU/ml, respectively), whereas the levels of serum estradiol and progesterone obtained for female rats in the test group (25.02±2.32pg/ml and 0.18±0.02mg/ml, respectively) were significantly lower (p 0.05), compared to the levels obtained for male rats in the control group (2.75±0.14 and 2.93±0.12mIU/ml, respectively).At the same time, the level of serum testosterone in the male test rats (7.82±2.17ng/dl) was significantly higher (p<0.05), compared to the level in the male control rats 4.66±1.85ng/gl. The results of this study showed that the adverse effect of inhalation exposure to gasoline fumes on the reproductive integrity in rats is sex-dependent, with the females being more vulnerable.

Blood Lead Level in Schoolchildren and Airborne Lead Levels in Mexico City, Mexico

P-425 Introduction: Lead exposure is a public health problem specially in children. In Mexico, there are different source of exposure to explain the blood lead levels (BLL) in children. These sources include the lead pollution by gasoline fumes and glazed pottery. This study describes the current BLL in schoolchildren and the relation with different sources including the reduction of airborne lead levels. Methods: Cross-sectional study was made on 853 children that visit the outpatient clinic of three pediatric hospitals. A blood sample was taken from each participant to measure the blood lead level. Information concerning variables of interest was obtained through the administration of a questionnaire. Additionally we analyze the trend of level of airborne lead (LAL) registered by Automatical Environmental Monitoring System for 1997 to 2004. For significance we used χ2 and Student t tests and a lineal regression model. Results: The mean annual LAL during 1997 - 2004 was 0.094μg/ m3; therefore the highest value was 0.1499 μg/ m3 in 1997 and the lowest value was 0.0599 μg/ m3 in 2004. The median of BLL was 5.7μg/dl, DE ± 4.4 (min: 0.4μg/dl; max: 54μg/dl). The 29% of the participants reported that in their household cook with glazed clay pots and they had levels 10μg/dl higher than children who use other (p = 0.000). The difference between the medians was 2 (p = 0.000). The model showed a relationship between BLL and cooking with glazed clay (p = 0.000) or keeping foods in this type of material (p = 0.023). Discussion and Conclusion: The elimination of lead in gasoline contributed significantly to the reduction of LAL, as reflected in this population’s BLL. Nevertheless, domestic exposure via use of glazed ceramics continues to be related to the BLL, particularly from cooking or keeping foods in this type of container.

Effect Of Inhalation Exposure To Kerosene And Petrol-Fumes On Some Anaemia-Diagnostic Indices In Rats

Changes in total body weight, some anaemia-diagnostic indices (haematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and total serum protein) were determined in rats (Wistar albino strain) after 2 weeks of 4 hours daily inhalation exposure to ungraded concentrations of kerosene and petrol fumes. The results obtained for those rats exposed to petrol and kerosene fumes showed a significant decrease (P

Blood Concentrations of Methaemoglobin, Carboxyhaemoglobin and some Haematological parameters in Petrol Station Attendants in Enugu Metropolis

Concentration of methaemoglobin and carboxyhaemoglobin in blood and some haematological parameters wee studied in fifty petroleum attendants in Enugu metropolis. The age range of the subjects (30 males and 20 females) and controls (12 males and 10 females) was 23-60 years. The purpose of the study was to determine if exposure to petrol fumes has any adverse effect on haemoglobin metabolism and haematological parameter. Methaemoglobin and carboxy-haemoglobin were determined by the method of Dacie and Lewis (1994) while the method of Bain (1994) was adopted for haemoglobin parameters. The mean results showed no significant difference in methaemoglobin, haemoglobin, packed cell volume and reticulocyte count (P>0.05) while a significant difference (P>0.05) was recorded in carboxyhaemoglobin of test and control subjects. The results suggest that exposure to petrol fumes may increase blood concentration of carboxyhaemoglobin but may affect methaemoglobin and haematological parameters. Key words: Methaemoglobin, carboxyhaemoglobin, haematological parameters [Mary Slessor Jnl of Medicine Vol.3(1) 2003: 65-68]