Are roadside petrol dispensers at risk of renal dysfunction? A study from Gombe, North East Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Occupational exposure to toxic chemicals is a major public health concern worldwide. Gasoline, especially the leaded form is a leading cause of this occupational exposure in developing countries such as Nigeria. Exposure to gasoline has been shown to generate oxygen free radicals which are implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of many diseases including renal dysfunction. The objective of the study is to evaluate the possibility of increased risk of renal dysfunction among roadside petrol dispensers in Gombe, Nigeria. 

Objectives: To determine the risk of renal dysfunction among road side petrol dispensers in Gombe. 

Materials And Methods: A cross sectional analytic study, where serum levels of uric acid, urea and creatinine were compared between 90 road side gasoline dispensers and 90 matched controls. These were measured using standard colorimetric methods. 

Results: The mean age of the exposed and control groups are 29.03 ± 3.7 and 29.24 ± 3.5 years respectively. The plasma level of uric acid (5.35± 0.9mg/dl) of the exposed group was significantly (p< 0.05) higher than the control (4.48± 0.9mg/dl). There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of urea and creatinine in the two groups studied. 

Conclusion: This study has shown that road side gasoline dispensers may be at a higher risk of renal impairment. Creating awareness of this risk among roadside gasoline dispensers could help reduce the burden of renal disease associated with exposure to gasoline.