Hematological parameters in a population of male bakers exposed to high heat work environment

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the hematological changes associated with heat exposure in a population of bakers. Materials and methods Personal information was collected using a questionnaire, and a venous blood sample was drawn at the end of a work shift from the bakers and from a control group. The average wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index was measured in the workplaces of both the bakers and the controls. Results This cross-sectional study involved 137 bakers working in 20 bakeries and 107 controls who were comparable in terms of likely confounding factors. Hemoglobin and platelet values were abnormal among the bakers and statistically significantly different to the control group (P = 0.026, and P = 0.016 respectively). The average WBGT index in the bakeries was 37.4°C, while the average WBGT in the workplaces of the controls was 25.5°C, (P<0.0001). Conclusions The changes in the bakers’ hematological parameters were found to be associated with exposure to high environmental heat at bakeries, as measured by the WBGT index. Preventive measures should be introduced to reduce the adverse effect of heat exposure among bakers and directed toward the worker–equipment–environment triad.

Impact of occupational heat exposure on selected haematological parameters of bakery workers: A comprehensive study in Ilorin, Kwara State

“…In this study, the RBC was high (6.708 ± 2.08) compared to (5.46 ± 1.12) of the control group. The HB was found to be moderate (15.53 ± 2.24) compared to (15.31 ± 1.82) of the control group, the mean ± SD for the PCV was also found to be high (47.597 ± 5.29) compared to (44.02 ± 6.42) of the control subject, this study disagrees with the studies of [ 17 ] and [ 18 ] which reported lower values of RBC, HB, and PCV. In hot climates when humans are exposed to high ambient temperatures, haemo-concentrations are developed due to dehydration, asphyxia, or excitement, causing the release of erythrocytes in the spleen which can result in abnormally higher PCV levels, on the other hand, some authors [ 19 ] reported that season did not affect the Hb concentration.…”

“…The MCV, MCH, and MCHC were found to be high 80.940 ± 11.64, 39.762 ± 7.92, and 42.683 ± 8.64 respectively, compared to 82.59 ± 6.18, 30.12 ± 4.66, and 36.98 ± 2.38 of the control group respectively, this study aligned with the study of [ 17 ] who also found high MCV, MCH, and MCHC among heat-stressed bakery workers. This study observed the mean ± SD for the Platelet to be high (581.43 ± 9439) compared to (460.40 ± 154.90) of the control population, this study disagrees with the study of [ 18 ] who found low platelet value among bakery workers exposed to heat stress. The observation is compatible with a prior study showing that individual differences in platelet concentration persist (Hoareau et al, 2014).…”

“…In the control population, the highest number of participants (42) belonged to the age group 18 to 45 years (70%) while those aged above 45 years (18) had the lowest number of participants (30%). The majority of the control subjects (51) were male (85%) and only 9 were female (15%).…”

“…A higher granulocyte value has previously been associated with increased systemic inflammation and stress. [18,20,22] This study found TWBC, LYM, and MCV of bakery workers between 1-10years of work experience were found to be low 6.94 ± 2.55, 36.98 ± 11.16, and 75.52 ± 23.3 respectively compared to 2.52 ± 1.59, 7.18 ± 2.32, 40.52 ± 16.76, and 81.23 ± 666.43 of bakery workers > 10 years of work experience respectively, this coincides with the study of [20] who also found lower values of WBC, LYM, GRAN, and PCV among workers below 10 years compare to workers above 10 years of heat exposure and suggested that the greater the exposure period, the greater the effect on physiological variables of workers. On the other hand, the RBC, PCV, MCHC, PLT, and GRAN of bakery workers between 1-10years work experience were found to be high 6.38 ± 2.65, 44.76 ± 13.07, 40.34 ± 13.7,…”

Effects of heat waves and cold spells on blood parameters: a cohort study of blood donors in Tianjin, China

“…Specifically, exposure to heat waves increased both HB and PLT levels, while exposure to cold spells increased HB levels and decreased PLT levels. Consistent with our study, previous studies have shown that exposure to hot environments can increase PLT, RBC, and plasma viscosity [ 41 ], while Al-Otaibi et al [ 42 ] observed significantly abnormal HB and PLT levels among individuals working in high-temperature environments compared to those in the control group. From a clinical perspective, these alterations in HB and PLT levels may reflect the body’s adaptation and regulation to extreme temperatures.…”