Asbract
The major components of petroleum are hydrocarbons which are toxic and have been implicated in a number of human diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the genotoxicity, oxidative stress and haemato – inflammatory markers among petroleum products exposed workers at NNPC Limited facilities at Abuja and environs. A total of two hundred and fifty adult males participated in this study. this research was a cross sectional study; a multivariable questionnaire was designed to provide answers to some questions. The questionnaire was divided into different sections comprises of social demographic variables such as age, sex, marital status, alcohol consumption, smoking etc. Others were awareness of hazards caused by occupational exposure to petroleum products and awareness of various ways of protection against the petroleum products with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Ethical approvals were obtained from Ministry of Environment, Abuja and Ethic committee of NNPC Limited. Under aseptic conditions, ten millimeter (10mls) of venous blood sample was obtained from each participating individuals at the end of the work shift on the day of exposure. The samples were processed according to each parameter requirement. Parameters such benzene and its derivatives (phenol, styrene, butanoic acid, benzene, benzene chloro, o – xylene, toluene, benze 1, 3, dimethyl, p – xylene, naphthalene and ethylbenzene), oxidative stress markers (CRP, total oxidative capacity, glutathione reductase), inflammatory and immunological markers (IL1, IL3, IL4, IL6, IL9, IL10, IFN gamma, Human LT beta, IgG and IgM), haematological parameters and deoxyribonucleic acid damage marker (8 hydroxyl 2 deoxylguanosine) were analysed using standard methods according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Results showed significantly higher phenol in tanker drivers compared with petrol attendants, auto mechanics and NNPC staff. The mean serum levels of oxidative stress markers indicated significantly higher total oxidant capacity among the tanker drivers compared with the petrol attendants, auto mechanics and NNPC staff. The NNPC staff indicated statistically higher mean glutathione peroxidase compared with the petrol attendants, auto mechanics, and tanker drivers. The auto mechanics indicated higher mean C reactive protein compared with tanker drivers and NNPC staff. Results also indicated significantly higher interleukin-1 beta in auto mechanics compared with petrol attendants, and NNPC staff. The petrol attendants and the tanker drivers also indicated significantly (p < 0.05) higher interleukin-1 Beta compared with the NNPC staff. Tanker drivers indicated higher mean IgG level compared with the petrol attendants (p = 0.013), auto mechanics (p = 0.019) and NNPC staff (p = 0.016). The NNPC staff presented higher mean IgM compared with petrol attendants (p = 0.001) and auto mechanics (p = 0.046). Data further indicated a significantly (p < 0.001) lower mean WBC among auto mechanics compared with the petrol attendants, tanker drivers and NNPC staff respectively. The NNPC staff indicated significantly higher RBC compared with the auto mechanics and tanker drivers. The petrol attendants indicated lower mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations compared with the auto mechanics, tanker drivers and NNPC staff. The petrol attendants also showed significantly lower mean (haematocrit) Hct compared with the auto mechanics, tanker drivers and NNPC staff. Data also revealed that the petrol attendants had significantly higher mean 8-deoxylhydroxylguanosine compared with the auto mechanics, tanker drivers and NNPC staff. In this study the level of benzene and its derivatives, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory and immunology markers as well DNA damage markers are significantly higher compared to haematological markers among the participants. However, more works need to be done in educating the populace on the effects of petroleum products on their health.
