Assessment of liver and renal function using laboratory parameters among gasoline exposed petrol station workers in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A comparative crosssectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background: In recent years, the use of gasoline or petrol has steadily increased in industries and households. Occupation is the primary source of exposure. Volatile organic compounds such as gasoline and other fuels are associated with several harmful health effects like liver and kidney diseases. Every year, employees worldwide die from work-related ill health and accidents and suffer from work-related illnesses. Exposure to them even at a low dose (below 0.5 parts per million) is capable of causing undesired health effects like liver and renal failure. However, there is no published data on the outcome of gasoline on parameters of the liver and renal in the study area. Besides, there is no baseline information on biochemical tests of liver and renal function. Objectives: To assess liver and renal function using laboratory parameters among gasoline exposed petrol station workers in comparison with blood donors Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out in Gondar town among gasoline exposed gas station workers and blood donor controls, from April to May 2021. Age >18 yrs. and > 6-month work experience (exposed) included in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to collect Sociodemographic, behavioral and exposure data. Four milliliters of blood sample was collected for liver and renal function parameters, analyzed by spectrophotometer DXC 700AU Autoanalyser. An independent t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson and Spearman's were analyzed using Stata ver 14. P-value ? 0.05 was taken statistically significant. Result: A total of 100 individuals participated in the study. There was no statistical difference in the mean age of exposed (25.46 � 7.27) and control (23.32 � 5.24) group抯 p=.095. The median level of ALT (19.5, 15 p<.001), AST (23, 19 P=.002) or mean level of urea (18 � 4.6, 15.5 � 3.7 p=.003) creatinine (0.66 � 0.13, 0.56 � 0.10 p<.001) and uric acid (4.68 � 1, 4.13 � 0.9) were significantly higher in exposed except total protein (7.2 � 0.46, 7.5 � 0.44 p=.004) and alkaline phosphatase (48, 65) the latter lowered non-significant. Serum ALT and AST were correlated positively with working hours per day, working days per week, and duration of work in years. Conclusion: The median level of (Alanine Amino-transferase, Aspartate Amino-transferase and Bilirubin Total) and mean level of (Urea, Creatinine and Uric acid) were high among exposed as compared to control. We also showed that the mean of Total Protein decreased significantly Key words: Gasoline, Liver function parameters, Renal function parameters