الفهرس 
AcknowledgmentOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 163 |  |  |
| | | from | 163 | | |
Abstract
The present study was a cross sectional community-based study for monitoring the potential biochemical and clinical hazards in some petroleum station Workers. The study was done on 200 workers in petroleum station in Delta area and 200 persons in the same age and sex as a control. This study concentrated on characterizing the health effects of BTEX compounds of Petroleum stations in delta region; (Dakahlia, Gharbiya, Damietta, Sharqiyah and Qalyubiya governorates). The study divided into two parts; the first part of the study was a structured questionnaire of the exposed group which included questions about demographic information of such workers as age, residence, smoking education, marital state, fertility and length of service at gasoline station work in years, days of work per week and hours of work per day. The second part of the study was clinical examination of the exposed and non exposed groups including vital signs as weight ,hieght, pulse, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure and electrocardiograph (ECG) and laboratory investigations of the exposed and non exposed groups including complete blood picture, peripheral blood film, blood urea and serum creatinine, determination of lipid profile and determination of serum kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1). This study showed the mean age was 35.3 years. In addition to 200 non exposed subjects of matched age and gender. All studied subjects were males. About half of exposed group were above 35 years (51%) in exposed group, while n non exposed group, 44% aged more than 35 years. Most of them were married (87%), while 13% were single. Median children number was 3, ranged from 0 to 7 children. Most of them attended secondary schools (66%), while 10% were illiterate, 5.5% read and write, 12.5% had university education. and only 6% attended primary schools. Regarding the type and duration of work this study showed that near half of studied subjects work in dump and fill (46%), while 35% work in laundry while 1% station office with mean work duration 9.2 years, and mean work hours was 10.7 hours/ day. Smoking pattern of the studied workers revealed that more than half of studied exposed subjects were smokers (58%), mean smoking duration was 12.9 years, mean cigarettes was 18.2 Cigarettes/ day. In addition, 2.5% smoked shisha, 2% smoked Gouza Regarding health problems of exposed subjects. the present study showd only 28% had abdominal and pelvic problems and the respiratory problems consisted of 33%, they varied widely as BA, dyspnea, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis. Regarding blood pressure and ECG of the studied workers this study showd that the exposed group had very highly significantly diastolic blood pressure. While systolic blood pressure did not differ significantly between both groups and all studied groups were subjected to ECG, very highly significant difference were found between exposed and non- exposed groups regarding normal, and sinus tachycardia. This study showed alteration in CBC parameters, although it was within its normal range but it was significantly lower in WBC, lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, RBC, hematocrit, MCH, MCHC, monocytes, hemoglobin and platelet count and was significantly higher in lymphocytes. All subjects had normal morphology of WBCs, RBCs, platelets and absent blasts. Moreover, kidney function tests (urea and creatinine) were done to all Petroleum Station workers (exposed group) and showed within normal range, although this group had highly significantly higher creatinine concentration when compared to non-exposed group. All lipid profile values determined for Petroleum Station workers in this study were greater than the acceptable level. Moreover, Statistical analysis revealed a significant gradual increasing with increased duration of exposure in renal function biomarker; kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) whose plasma concentration reflects renal tubular injury. All studied groups were subjected to ECG, very highly significant difference were found between exposed and non- exposed groups regarding normal, and sinus tachycardia. More researches and investigations are necessary to determine the exact role of occupational exposure of Petroleum station Workers to BTEX compounds. Future work will support the necessity for reducing levels of health hazards of BTEX compounds. Although both groups had normal creatinine level, exposed group showed highly significantly higher creatinine concentration when compared to non-exposed group . Exposed group showed significantly higher cholesterol, TG, LDL respectively and significantly lower HDL concentration when compared to non-exposed group. Also all studied groups were subjected to ECG, very highly significant difference were found between exposed and non- exposed groups regarding normal, and sinus tachycardia. The results of this work are applicable to similar areas with many gas stations with the goal of motivating strategies to curb the negative effects of emissions from Petroleum stations. Our findings indicate that controlling emissions of BTEX compounds and monitoring employees’ exposure and protecting petroleum workers and public health near these areas are important. In conclusion, regression analysis was conducted in our study for prediction of health problems in exposed group, and we found that older age, KIM-1, smoking, longer work duration, work hours, direct contact were associated with health problems in univariable analysis. Here, the association between exposure to natural gas and toxicological health hazards changes is apparent. Increased public awareness of the dangers of environmental contamination by natural gas leakage and more epidemiological investigations are necessary to determine the exact role of occupational hydrocarbon exposure in the biochemical and clinical changes and the long-term significance of these changes. It is important to decrease exposure of people to high BTEX concentrations in hot spots such as gas stations and to move such facilities outside urban centers. Additionally, regulations to reduce pollution from gas stations are recommended and populated buildings would benefit from being far from such pollutant hot spots. The study highlighted the need for the petroleum depot workers and petrol station pump attendants to wear personal protective equipment and to assess their health status on a regular basis. There should be the introduction of increasing the safety measures at these stations including the establishment of workers insurance system, the use of protective measures (gloves, masks, clothes, …etc), periodic medical and laboratory examination, and treating the diseased persons as early as possible. It is a hope to develop a safer fuel in the near future. Increase public awareness of the dangers of environmental contamination by natural gas leakage and more epidemiological investigations are necessary to determine the exact role of occupational hydrocarbon exposure in the biochemical and clinical changes and the long-term significance of these changes. The study highlighted the need for the petroleum depot workers and petrol station pump attendants to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and to assess their health status on a regular basis. More research on the biological effects on petroleum station workers is needed. It is a hope to develop a safer fuel in the near future. There should be the introduction of initial medical or laboratory testing for petrol station attendants before being hired to their jobs to check their fitness and suitability for duties at petrol stations. A medical observation including pre-employment and periodic medical checkup for early recognition and removal of sensitive workers from their working places before development of chronic impairment should be done. Further longer term perspective studies of petrol workers help to get a more comprehensive picture of long term effects of petrol exposure.