Some Haematological Parameters of Fuel Pump Attendants in Calabar Metropolis

Abstract

Introduction: Occupational exposure to petroleum products and fumes has been reported to have toxic effects on various organs and body system including the circulatory system. This study examined some haematological parameters of the fuel pump attendants in Calabar Metropolis.

Methods: One hundred (100) male and female participants (18-50 years) were recruited into this case control study. They consisted of 50 fuel pump attendants (28 males and 22 females) and 50 controls, all residing in Calabar metropolis. The haematological parameters were analyzed using the Sysmex XE- 2100 haematology autoanalyser.  Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 with Student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation. P <0.05 were used considered statistically significant.

Results: Ninety percent of the fuel pump attendants were exposed for duration of 1-4 years. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV) and neutrophil count of fuel pump attendants were significantly lower compared to the controls. Monocyte count was significantly higher in the fuel pump attendants than in the controls (p<0.05). Platelet count correlated positively with TWBC (r=0.500, p=0.000) and neutrophil count (r=0.373, p=0.008) and negatively with lymphocyte count (r=-0.337, p=0.017).

Conclusion: This finding implies that fuel has the potential to cause alterations in some haematological parameters, particularly in the red cell parameters and differential white cells, thus interfering with their normal function.