1Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Madonna University Elele, Nigeria
2Bayelsa State College of Health Technology Ogbia, Nigeria
3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University Owo, Nigeria
4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research.
2014,
Vol. 2 No. 1, 1-4
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-2-1-1
Copyright © 2014 Science and Education PublishingCite this paper: Anslem O. Ajugwo, Teddy C. Adias, Kevin Aghatise, Johnson K. Fadairo, Clement U. Nyenke. Reduced Haematological Indices in Auto-Mechanics and Fuel Attendants in Elele Nigeria.
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research. 2014; 2(1):1-4. doi: 10.12691/ajmbr-2-1-1.
Correspondence to: Anslem O. Ajugwo, Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Madonna University Elele, Nigeria. Email:
slemjugwo@yahoo.comAbstract
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.
Keywords