Evaluation of Some Haematologic Parameters among Cement Loaders in Port-Harcourt

Abstract

  Cement remains a very useful discovery in the modern world and has served many purposes in the circle of construction, the dusts generated in the manufacturing, packaging, transporting, and also usage has impacted negatively on those exposed to the dusts at various levels. This study focuses on assessing the health impact of cement dust on haematologic parameters among cement loaders in Port Harcourt. A cross sectional study design was employed for this study. A total 200 male subjects; 100 healthy cement exposed workers and 100 apparently healthy non exposed male subjects. Subjects were selected randomly based on set inclusion and exclusion criteria. Venous blood samples were collected using venipuncture technique into EDTA bottle for the assay of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Full Blood Count (FBC). ESR was estimated using Westergreen method while FBC was assayed using Haematology analyzer. There was a significant decrease in WBC count, RBC count, haemoglobin (Hb) level and monocyte in cement workers (p-value<0.05) but there was a significant increase in ESR level in cement workers (p-value<0.05). This study has shown that there cement dust exposure results in inflammation and can as well interfere with red blood cell production process.