Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, haematological and antioxidant status of petrol station attendants in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Workplace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure occurs majorly  through inhalation or dermal absorption of volatile
compounds or of particles with adsorbed PAHs. PAHs have been found to potentially alter the biochemical, haematologic and antioxidant parameters in humans.
Objectives: This study investigated the level of urinary 1-hydroxyperene as a biomarker of PAH exposure, haematological, antioxidant and lipid peroxidation status of petrol station attendants in Surulere area of Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.
Methods: Petrol station attendants (PSA) were randomly selected from different petrol stations in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. Their clinical data and medical history were collected by personal interview via a questionnaire. The participants who met the inclusion criteria and volunteered to continue with the study were selected (n=55). The control subjects were non-smoking students in tertiary school (n=20). The subjects were grouped according to their location within Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. Group 1-5 were the petrol station attendants while Group 6 is the control. Group 1 (OO): Oando filling station in Olorunsogo (n=14), Group 2 (MO): MRS filling station in Olorunsogo (n=5), Group 3 (ML): MRS filling station in Lawanson (n=7), Group 4 (OI): Oando filling station in Ishaga (n=19), Group 5 (MI): MRS filling station in Ishaga(n=10) and Group 6 (Control): Tertiary School Students (n=20). All participants in this study willingly volunteered to donate 24-hour urine and blood samples. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration was assayed for using HPLC while blood samples were used to determine haematological, antioxidants biomarkers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and m alondialdehyde ( M D A ) parameters spectrophotometrically.
Results: The concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene in all the PSA groups were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control. There were variations in the
haematological parameters among the PSAalthough they were relatively non-significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control whereas the oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT and MDA) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control.
Conclusion: Present study showed that Petrol station attendants are at high risk of PAHs exposure which could lead to detrimental health challenges. The attendants should be encouraged to use safety protective devices in workplace to reduce inhalation of PAHs.