Biochemical assessment of the hepatic functions of the petrol pump workers of Jaipur city

Abstract

Background: In recent years, occupational health hazards have grown as one of the major public health issues worldwide. In this context, petrol pump workers were studied who by virtue of their occupation is continuously exposed to the various chemical substances and volatile organic compounds liberated in the form of gasoline vapors in their breathing zone. Aims and Objectives: To explore the effects of gasoline vapors on some biochemical parameters (the liver enzymes) among the petrol pump filling attendants working at various petrol pumps of Jaipur city. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with 80 subjects (40 petrol pump workers working for more than three years at various petrol pumps of Jaipur city as study group and 40 matched male adults working as peons and ward boys in the different departments of the institute were considered as the control group). Liver enzymes were assessed using fully automated analyzer (Beckman Coulter AU680) available at the Central Biochemistry Laboratory in S.M.S Hospital Jaipur. Mean±standard deviation values for each parameter were determined for both the study and control groups and compared using an unpaired t-test, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Liver enzymes: serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were found significantly higher among the petrol filling attendants in comparison to the control group, except serum alkaline phosphatase which was although higher in petrol filling attendants but statistically insignificant between the two groups. Conclusions: This study observed that the petrol pump workers are at greater risk of developing biochemical alterations in the hepatic enzymes with time. However, further longitudinal studies with larger sample size and regular follow-ups are required to get better insights into the results.

Assessment of Certain Biochemical Parameters among Petrol Station Workers in Sana’a City, Yemen

“…In contrast, higher serum transaminase activities were observed among fuel-filling workers of Sulaimani city compared to the controls, though these values were within the normal range for clinical diagnosis of hepatic injury (27). Furthermore, significantly higher liver enzymes among petrol filling attendees in comparison to controls have been reported in several studies (12,14,15,24,26).…”

“…In addition, it is in agreement with the findings among petrol station attendants in Nigeria and volatile substance abusing street children in Turkey (22, 23). On the other hand, Gupta et al (24) found that ALP activity was non-significantly higher in petrol filling attendants. The increase in ALP activity generally originates from the hepatobiliary system.…”

“…In the present study, the mean length of exposure to petrol was 5.5 years, which may have a lower effect on hepatic function in comparison to longer periods of exposure. In this respect, it was found that petrol pump workers in Jaipur city in the state of Rajasthan, India working for more than 10 years at various petrol-filling stations had elevated levels of AST, suggesting that petrol-filling attendants are at greater risk of developing hepatocellular injury over time (24). The increase in the duration of service and ex-posure to fumes in petrol stations among Nigerian attendants in Ibadan was found to increase the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin (28).…”

Oxido‐inflammatory responses and histological alterations in rat lungs exposed to petroleum product fumes

“…[24][25][26][27][28] Besides, PDS attendants are responsible for unloading petroleum products from supply tankers into PDS underground reservoirs and take daily stock of dispensed petroleum products from PDS reservoirs. 29 PDS attendants chronically exposed to PPF fractions, and their by-products, mainly by inhalation of volatile fractions 30 and dermal contact during a regular workday (8-10 hours). Besides, PDS attendants are exposed regularly to exhaust fumes from vehicles procuring petroleum products from dispensing stations.…”

“…Chronic occupational exposure to PPF constituent is primarily detrimental to human health, 20‐23 which can be further exacerbated by the absence of enforceable occupational safety regulation, inadequate personnel safety equipment, and unsafe work conditions 24‐28 . Besides, PDS attendants are responsible for unloading petroleum products from supply tankers into PDS underground reservoirs and take daily stock of dispensed petroleum products from PDS reservoirs 29 . PDS attendants chronically exposed to PPF fractions, and their by‐products, mainly by inhalation of volatile fractions 30 and dermal contact during a regular workday (8‐10 hours).…”