ABSTRACT

Automobile repairers are exposed to various potentially harmful chemicals while carrying out their work. Exposure may involve inhalation of exhaust fumes, accidental spills, and improper handling and use of petroleum products. The repairers inhale volatile fractions of petroleum products, voluntarily siphone petroleum products with their mouths and often use volatile solvents to wash their hands clean of grease. The aim of this study was to evaluate some hematological and renal function parameters among automobile repairers in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria.

A total of 45 auto repairers consisting of motor mechanics (n=27), panel beaters (n=7), automobile electricians (n=2), and others (n=9), were selected from various auto repair workshops in the Local Government Area. Using a questionnaire, personal data of each participant were collected. The questionnaire focused on the demographics, how long they had worked as automobile repairer, as well as if they used any protective equipment at work. A fraction of blood sample collected from each subject was analyzed using an automated hematology system. The remaining fraction of blood from each subject was placed in plain bottles and allowed to clot at room temperature for 4 h and then centrifuged to obtain serum for the assay of urea, creatinine and electrolytes.

Results showed that approximately 71.1% of the repairers used protective gadgets while working and that all of them had at least a primary school education. Analysis of the hematological parameters revealed a uniform reduction in the mean of the hematological parameters assayed (WBC, LYM, GRAN, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCHC, PLT) when compared to standard reference values and a uniform increase in the mean of , urea and creatinine when compared to the mean of standard reference values. There was a 34.12% increase in the mean value of urea for the repairers when compared to the mean of the controls. However, values for 80%, 35.6%, 100%, 64.4%, 53.3%, 4.4% and 93.3% of these auto repairers fell within normal ranges for WBC, GRAN, LYM, RBC, HGB, MCV, MCHC, and PLT respectively, while 55.6%, 75.6%, 80%, 97.8%, 80% and 44.44% of the values for urea, creatinine, respectively were within the standard ranges. It is concluded that that the hematological parameters and kidney function of some of the auto repairers were not normal. Continuous education on workplace safety practices will help minimize the risks associated with exposure or auto repairers to workplace chemicals.