Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the associated hazards of exposure to petroleum products on methaemoglobin levels of fuel station attendants in Port Harcourt metropolis. Fuel station attendants are exposed to the hazards of their occupation through inhalation of petroleum fume...

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Main Author: Christian, Serekara Gideon* and Eze, Evelyn Mgbeoma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hammer Head Production Limited 2017-09-01
Series:Sokoto Journal of Medical Laboratory Science
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Online Access:https://sokjmls.com.ng/index.php/SJMLS/article/view/316
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author Christian, Serekara Gideon* and Eze, Evelyn Mgbeoma
author_facet Christian, Serekara Gideon* and Eze, Evelyn Mgbeoma
author_sort Christian, Serekara Gideon* and Eze, Evelyn Mgbeoma
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the associated hazards of exposure to petroleum products on methaemoglobin levels of fuel station attendants in Port Harcourt metropolis. Fuel station attendants are exposed to the hazards of their occupation through inhalation of petroleum fumes, ingestion by chance and though skin penetration from broken skin surfaces. A total of forty-nine (49) subjects consisting of twenty-nine (29) occupationally exposed fuel station attendants and twenty (20) non-exposed apparently healthy aged-matched controls were enrolled. K3EDTA was used to collect 4ml of venous blood from all subjects. Methaemoglobin estimation was based on Evelyn and Malloy manual method. Measurement was done spectrophotometrically at 630nm wavelength and the results were reported as percentage. Statistical analysis was carried out using Graph-Pad Prism 5 and a significant difference in methaemoglobin level (p<0.0001) was observed between fuel station attendants (5.676 ± 3.044) and control subjects (2.085 ± 0.815). Comparison based on body mass index and gender were made in relation to methaemoglobin levels and it was observed that none had a statistical significance on methaemoglobin levels (p>0.05). Increased duration of occupational exposure to petroleum products was associated with increase in methaemoglobin level. This study shows that exposure to petroleum products are associated with changes in methaemoglobin levels and can potentially be detrimental to the health of fuel station attendants. There is need for measures to be put in place to reduce the risk of occupational exposure to petroleum products. The methaemoglobin levels and health status of occupational exposed individuals should be monitored regularly.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-53ffcb5605dd4e9c95024f894a2ebcc02025-08-20T03:41:46ZengHammer Head Production LimitedSokoto Journal of Medical Laboratory Science2536-71532017-09-0123316Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, NigeriaChristian, Serekara Gideon* and Eze, Evelyn MgbeomaThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the associated hazards of exposure to petroleum products on methaemoglobin levels of fuel station attendants in Port Harcourt metropolis. Fuel station attendants are exposed to the hazards of their occupation through inhalation of petroleum fumes, ingestion by chance and though skin penetration from broken skin surfaces. A total of forty-nine (49) subjects consisting of twenty-nine (29) occupationally exposed fuel station attendants and twenty (20) non-exposed apparently healthy aged-matched controls were enrolled. K3EDTA was used to collect 4ml of venous blood from all subjects. Methaemoglobin estimation was based on Evelyn and Malloy manual method. Measurement was done spectrophotometrically at 630nm wavelength and the results were reported as percentage. Statistical analysis was carried out using Graph-Pad Prism 5 and a significant difference in methaemoglobin level (p<0.0001) was observed between fuel station attendants (5.676 ± 3.044) and control subjects (2.085 ± 0.815). Comparison based on body mass index and gender were made in relation to methaemoglobin levels and it was observed that none had a statistical significance on methaemoglobin levels (p>0.05). Increased duration of occupational exposure to petroleum products was associated with increase in methaemoglobin level. This study shows that exposure to petroleum products are associated with changes in methaemoglobin levels and can potentially be detrimental to the health of fuel station attendants. There is need for measures to be put in place to reduce the risk of occupational exposure to petroleum products. The methaemoglobin levels and health status of occupational exposed individuals should be monitored regularly.https://sokjmls.com.ng/index.php/SJMLS/article/view/316effect, exposure, petroleum products, methaemoglobin, fuel station attendants, port harcourt, nigeria
spellingShingle Christian, Serekara Gideon* and Eze, Evelyn Mgbeoma
Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Sokoto Journal of Medical Laboratory Science
effect, exposure, petroleum products, methaemoglobin, fuel station attendants, port harcourt, nigeria
title Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
title_full Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
title_fullStr Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
title_short Effect of Exposure to Petroleum Products on Methaemoglobin Levels of Fuel Station Attendants in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
title_sort effect of exposure to petroleum products on methaemoglobin levels of fuel station attendants in port harcourt nigeria
topic effect, exposure, petroleum products, methaemoglobin, fuel station attendants, port harcourt, nigeria
url https://sokjmls.com.ng/index.php/SJMLS/article/view/316
work_keys_str_mv AT christianserekaragideonandezeevelynmgbeoma effectofexposuretopetroleumproductsonmethaemoglobinlevelsoffuelstationattendantsinportharcourtnigeria