Abstract:
The oil refineries are the most important of chemical industries which produce
Benzene and its metabolites that among the most dangerous compounds are toxic
oxidizers causing many serious health risks to oil refineries workers. This study
aimed to analyze the effects of exposure to petrochemicals on biochemical
parameters among workers at Al Zawia oil refinery and Mellituh oil and gas refinery
companies and compared with the unexposed group. Methodology: Analysis of
plasma samples and their comparison with biochemical tests of kidney and liver
function among two groups designated as exposed (100 petroleum refineries
workers) and control subjects (100 non-oil civil servants), respectively. Results: The
exposed group had a significantly elevated mean concentration of alkaline
phosphatase ALP (u/L) as compared to unexposed (178.2 ± 84.3 versus 132.32 ±
52.7, p = <0.001). Also, the mean aspartate aminotransferase AST (IU/L) levels
were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the unexposed group
(25.6 ± 7.4 versus 23.5 ± 7.5, P = 0.03). Similarly, the mean serum alanine
aminotransferase ALT (IU/L) levels were increased significantly in the benzene
exposed group compared with the unexposed group (22.3 ± 9.47 versus 18.87 ± 9.6,
P = 0.01), and the mean± SD of serum creatinine (mg/dL) and blood urea nitrogen
(BUN) (mg/dL) levels were significantly increased (0.98 ± 0.27 versus 0.70 ± 0.24, P
= < 0.001), and (33.9 ± 9.3 versus 22.4 ± 9.1, P = <0.001) in the benzene exposed
group compared with the unexposed group, respectively. Conclusion: occupational
exposure to benzene caused significant alterations in biochemical parameters
indicating that workers may be at a higher risk of developing hepatic or renal related
disorders.
