The Comparison of Hematological Factors between Employees of S.G.P.C Gas Company and a General Population of Employees

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Petroleum Industry Health Organization, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

5 Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Division of Medical Education, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9PH, UK.

6 International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to compare complete blood count (CBC) parameters between two populations to determine if there is a need for intervention to improve the health status of workers in the work place.
Methods: This study utilized a comparative cross-sectional studydesign. A total of 654 male workers aged 20-69 years at the Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Processing Company (S.G.P.C) were included.  Additionally, a control group of employees in Mashhad city (N=681), matched for age and sex, were enrolled in the study. Fasting blood samples were collected from both groups and blood parameters for all participants were analyzed.
Results: Employees exposed to gas in S.G.P.C had higher white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts compared to the control group (P-value<0.05). Furthermore, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly higher in the control group (P-value<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in hemoglobin (Hb) levels between the two groups (P-value>0. 05).
Conclusion: Occupational status and working environment may contribute to higher RBC and WBC counts in exposed workers.

Keywords


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