Assessment of hematological parameters of petrol filling workers at petrol stations in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study

Association between occupational exposure to gasoline and anemia: a retrospective cohort study in China

BACKGROUND

Anemia is a major global burden, and occupational gasoline exposure is a common occupational hazard factor. Although previous studies have shown that there is a potential relationship between occupational gasoline exposure and the increase of anemia prevalence, this relationship has not been fully explored. The current cohort study aimed to investigate the association between occupational exposure to gasoline and anemia, and the effect of gasoline concentration on hemoglobin (Hb) levels.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study collected baseline data from 1451 workers, including 605 exposed to gasoline and 846 not exposed to gasoline. Participants were enrolled in 2013-2015, and follow-up in 2019. Anemia was diagnosed according to WHO guidelines on hemoglobin cutoffs to define anemia in individuals and populations. Occupational exposure concentration of gasoline was measured based on the Chinese national standard (GBZ-T300.62-2017). Logistic regression was conducted to analyze the associations of occupational exposure to gasoline and anemia.

RESULTS

The incidence of anemia among workers exposed to gasoline was significantly higher than that among non-exposed workers (relative risk [RR] = 11.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.45-12.53). The risks of anemia were significantly higher among participants exposed to gasoline concentrations ≥ 43.20 mg/m³ (RR = 13.92, 95%CI: 12.25-15.28), 18.01-43.19 mg/m³ (RR = 12.93, 95%CI: 11.07-14.51), and 0.01-18.00 mg/m³ (RR = 5.49, 95%CI: 3.96-7.32) compared with the control non-exposed group. The risk of anemia was significantly higher among exposed workers, after adjusting for all confounding factors. There was also a significant negative correlation between gasoline exposure concentration and hemoglobin level.

CONCLUSIONS

Occupational exposure to gasoline is associated with an increased incidence of anemia, with a positive correlation between occupational gasoline exposure levels and the severity of anemia. The incidence and severity of anemia increase while hemoglobin levels decrease in line with increasing gasoline exposure concentrations. These findings emphasize the importance of assessing anemia in workers exposed to gasoline.

Cardiovascular wellness in low-resource settings: A mobile app-based risk prediction study among fuel filling station employees in Puducherry district

Background

India is witnessing a significant increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and addressing this requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. The burden of NCDs puts a strain on the healthcare system, requiring an increased focus on preventive measures, early detection, and management of chronic conditions. Adopting a risk-based approach to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in resource-poor settings offers several economic and social advantages.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of CVD risk factors among fuel filling station employees in the Puducherry district and the 10-year CVD risk prediction score among the study participants with the World Health Organisation package of essential non-communicable (WHO PEN) app and package for resource-poor settings.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among the fuel filling station employees in Puducherry. A universal sampling method was employed. The data were collected using a pilot-tested, predesigned, structured questionnaire and the WHO PEN app was used to estimate the CVD risk score. The data were collected from February 2021 to January 2022 and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Frequency distribution along with the Chi-square test was employed to test statistical significance.

Results

Out of 212 subjects, 170 (80.2%) were males, out of which 116 (54.7%) were between 40 and 50 years old. Nearly half the participants (48%) had CVD risk scores ranging from 5 to 20%, with an increased prevalence of CVD risk factors, namely, obesity/overweight (65.5%), physical inactivity (58.5%), hypertension (52%), alcohol consumption (51%) and tobacco consumption in any form (25.5%).

Conclusions

This study sheds light on the sedentary nature of the occupation and the increased prevalence of CVD risk factors among the study participants. It is also evident that the participants had higher CVD risk scores for developing CVDs in the future. Recommendations: The use of mobile-based apps can be used as a feasible strategy to save scarce resources in delivering primary health care. We also propose that the nature of occupation be taken into account as one of the parameters for risk prediction. Risk prediction assessment should be made mandatory during the annual examination of employees.

Occupational fatigue and health of gas station workers: A review

BACKGROUND

Occupational health factors such as shift work, sleep, fatigue, and work environment jeopardise the health and safety of gas station workers. This calls for new research to investigate how the working environment and characteristics impact the occupational health of workers at gas stations. However, minimal research has been conducted in this field, especially those involving psychological and behavioural factors, occupational stress, and so forth.

OBJECTIVE

This review was performed to investigate the present condition of the occupational risk of gas station workers in this safety-critical position.

METHODS

Five databases (Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO) were searched for relevant peer-reviewed studies. Results were selected according to these criteria: studies on fatigue, shift work, sleep, and physical and mental health of gas station employees; published on or before November 11, 2021; papers in English.

RESULTS

Twenty studies were considered for the final analysis. The results showed that shift work at gas stations leads to psychological and physiological problems. The psychological consequences included anxiety, stress, and depression, while the physiological consequences included biochemical changes and lifestyle consequences.

CONCLUSION

Shift work and the specific working environment of gas station employees adversely affect their sleep, stress levels, physical and mental health, and turnover intention. This systematic review allowed us to consider the occupational risk factors that can lead to sickness or accidents and contribute to reducing these risk factors. Realistic countermeasures ought to be established and interventions must be explored to mitigate risks to life, property, and the environment in operating gas stations.

Ameliorative Effects of Bovine Lactoferrin on Benzene-Induced Hematotoxicity in Albino Rats

Benzene (Bz) is one of the major products of the petrochemical industry globally, which induces aplastic anemia and leukemia in humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on Bz-induced hematotoxicity in albino rats. Eighty male rats were randomly divided into eight groups: corn oil group [2 mL/kg body weight (BW)], bLf groups (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg BW), Bz group (Bz 2 mL/kg BW; corn oil 2 mL/kg BW), and Bz + bLf groups (Bz 2 mL/kg BW; corn oil 2 mL/kg BW; bLf 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg BW). Hematobiochemical results exhibited marked pancytopenia, a significant decrease in total protein, albumin, α2- and γ-globulin, ferritin, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and an increase in serum bioactivities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and erythropoietin hormone levels in Bz-treated rats. Histopathological examination revealed a marked reduction in all hematopoietic cell lines in the bone marrow (BM), necrosis in the white pulp of the spleen and cytosolic hydrops, and apoptosis of hepatocytes in the Bz-treated group. Rats treated with bLf (300 mg/kg BW) revealed marked increases in total protein, albumin, α2- and γ-globulin, ferritin, serum iron, and TIBC levels and decreases both in ALP and LDH bioactivities and erythropoietin hormone levels compared with the Bz-treated group. Histopathological results were concomitant with hematobiochemical parameters in rats treated with bLf (300 mg/kg BW), almost showing restoration of the normal cellularity of BM, the architecture of red and white pulps of the spleen, and even the normal hypertrophy of hepatocytes compared with the control groups. To conclude, bLf (300 mg/kg BW) can be recommended to treat Bz-induced hematotoxicity.

Induced sputum abnormalities in gas station attendants

PURPOSE

To investigate inflammatory changes in the induced sputum (IS) of gas station attendants (GSAs) at risk of exposure to fuel vapors through inhalation and susceptible to respiratory complaints and impaired lung function.

METHODS

Hypertonic saline-IS was collected from 52 GSAs who had never smoked (42 men, age = 35.9 ± 8.9 years) and had no known comorbidities. A group of 22 non-smokers (11 men, age = 30.5 ± 5.1 years) selected from the University staff served as control. The GSAs answered a questionnaire and underwent spirometry and chest tomography. A total of 15 inflammatory biomarkers associated with inflammation, including cytokines, chemokines, and mediators of immunological response, were also measured.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms of GSAs were coughing (42.3%) and dyspnea (59.6%) based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA; Class II) classification. Significant elevations (p < 0.05) in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume within the first second were observed in the GSAs relative to those in the controls (GSA vs. control: 99 ± 12% vs. 90 ± 9% and 94 ± 11% vs. 87 ± 10%, respectively). The GSAs had a lower percentage of IS lymphocytes than that in the control group (4.5 ± 5.7% vs. 7.7 ± 9.8%). The GSAs also had significantly lower concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12_P70, IFN-γ, and MIP-1α, but IL-3 levels were higher. No differences were observed in the airway thickness and the amount of emphysema between the GSAs and the controls.

CONCLUSION

Despite normal lung function and absence of abnormalities on HRCT, GSAs have a higher frequency of respiratory complaints, with evidence of impairment of lymphocytic activity in the airways.

The association of three DNA repair genes polymorphisms on the frequency of chromosomal alterations detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization

PURPOSE

Gas station workers (GSWs) are exposed to carcinogenic agents. The aim was to study the association of high somatic chromosome alterations (CAs) rates in the blood of GSWs and the polymorphisms of three genes playing a role in DNA double-strand break repair.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study with 114 GSWs and 115 age-matched controls. Cytogenetic analyses, blood exams, medical interviews and genotypes for RAD51/G135C (rs1801320), ATM/P1054R (rs1800057) and CHEK2/T470C (rs17879961) genes were performed.

RESULTS

The CA rate in GSWs was 9.8 CAs/1000 metaphases, and 19.1% of the workers had > 10 CAs per 1000 metaphases (group two). GSWs had decreased levels of monocytes (P = 0.024) in their blood exams. The number of variant alleles of the RAD51/G135C polymorphism was higher in GSWs (P = 0.011) compared to the controls, and were associated with enhanced number of CAs per worker (P = 0.008). No allele variant was found for CHEK2/T470C in this study.

CONCLUSION

The RAD51/G135C polymorphism appears to be related to genome instability in gas station workers. Increasing the knowledge of DNA repair gene variations involved in maintaining genomic stability in GSWs may be crucial for future cancer prevention.