Effect of wooddust inhalation on blood rheology

Abstract

Occupational exposure to wood dust may bring about some changes in blood indices of humans, especially in developing countries where use of protective gadgets like face masks are not in use. This study is aimed at evaluating changes in blood cell indices, haemostasis and CD 4 count on occupationally exposed workers to wood dust. This randomized study consisted of one hundred (100) male sawmill workers who have been exposed to wood dust by working in these environments without any form of protective masks, for over two years as test subjects and fifty male individuals randomly selected who were not exposed to wood dust as controls. Blood samples were obtained from these workers and analysed for complete blood count using PCE – 210N haematology analyser, prothnumbin time test (PTT) and activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) were manually done using commercially purchased kit and CD4 count was performed using the flow cytometry method. Haemoglobin, haemcitrocrit and granutocyte levels increased significantly in test subjects when compared with control subjects (P= 0.037, P=0.026, p=0.0005. Mean lymphocyte levels decreased significantly in test when compared to control subjects (P=0.028). while there were no changes in the other CBC parameters, PT, APTT and CD4 counts in test when compared with control subjects. This suggest that inhalation of wood dust increases haemotocrit, haemoglobin and granulocyte levels, decreased lymphocyte count and a longer exposure time to wood dust significantly affects these parameters. This may imply there is an increased rate of blood flow in the circulation of these individuals.

Keywords: Wood dust, Inhalation, Haematological Indices