The effect of occupational exposure to petrol on biochemical and hematological parameters: a review and meta-analysis.
Somayeh Rahimimoghadam, Safoura Javan, Mahmood Moosazadeh et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed blood indices in fuel station workers occupationally exposed to petrol and diesel vapors, comparing exposed with unexposed groups. Across 37 studies involving 2244 exposed and 2106 unexposed participants, pooled analyses found lower red blood cell count (SMD = -1.03, 95% CI: -1.54 to -0.52), alongside decreases in white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Several other indices, including hematocrit, platelets, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, were higher. Changes were reported as more pronounced with longer exposure.
Key findings
- Red blood cell count was lower in exposed workers (SMD = -1.03, 95% CI: -1.54 to -0.52).
- White blood cell count decreased (SMD = -0.54, 95% CI: -0.94 to -0.15), while lymphocytes and neutrophils increased.
- Hemoglobin (SMD = -0.82, 95% CI: -1.34 to -0.31) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: -1.14 to -0.23) were lower.
- Changes in blood indices were more pronounced with longer exposure.
Why it matters
The findings associate occupational fuel-vapor exposure with differences across red and white blood cell indices. These measures may help identify potential early hematological effects in exposed populations, although the pooled comparisons do not establish that exposure caused the changes.
What to keep in mind
The meta-analysis combines studies of occupational exposure and blood indices; the abstract does not report whether exposure or outcome measurement was consistent across studies.