Evaluation of hematotoxic potential of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene and n-hexane in petrochemical industries
Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat (Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention),
Vol. 2 No. 4 (2014),
28 Tir 2015
,
Page 293-302
https://doi.org/10.22037/meipm.v2i4.8396
Abstract
Background and Objective: Important organic chemical pollutants in petrochemical complexes include benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene and n-hexane, and some have the potential to induce blood dyscrasias. The present study was designed to investigate whether skin and respiratory exposure to these pollutants under normal occupational conditions is associated with hematotoxicity.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 419 petrochemical workers as exposed group and staff of governmental departments (101 subjects) were evaluated as referent group. Blood samples were taken and analyzed for white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean cell volume of red blood cells, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet count and white cell differential. To prevent clotting of the samples CBC vials containing EDTA as an anticoagulant were used. CBC test was performed with a hematology cell counter (Celltac alpha model) manufactured by NIHON KOHDEN Japan. Additionally, level of exposure to important organic chemical pollutants in petrochemical companies was simultaneously measured by another group of researchers and its data were linked with the present study.
Results: Average age and length of exposure (employment) were 33.04±6.41 and 7.29±4.18 years for exposed group and 32.31 ±7.72 and 5 ±2.88 years, for referent subjects, respectively. Geometric mean concentration of n-hexane, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene, were found to be 2.14, 0.46, 1.35, 3.61 and 1.48 ppm, respectively. In simplistic statistical data analysis, significant differences were noted between the mean values of most blood parameters of both groups but MCV. Furthermore, after controlling for important confounders, the red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly higher in the exposed groups than in the referent subjects, while the platelet count was lower in the referent group. Atmospheric concentrations of organic solvents were generally lower than their recommened TLV values.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that after adjusting for important confounders significant associations exist between exposure to sub-TLV levels of organic solvents and hematotoxicity.
How to cite this article: Neghab M, Tayefeh Rahimian J, Jahangiri M, Karimi A, Nasiri GH, Aghabeigi M, Hassanzadeah J, Dasht Besh Podonak S, Safaiyan A. Evaluation of hematotoxic potential of benzene, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene and n-hexane in petrochemical industries. Irtiqa Imini Pishgiri Masdumiyat (Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention).2015; 2(4):293-302.
- benzene
- toluene
- xylene
- ethyl benzene
- n-hexane
- petrochemical industry
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