A Survey on Neuropsychological State, Oxidative Stress and Hematological Parameters in Coke Oven Workers

Abstract

Coke oven factories are one of the main emitting sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)s which have been identified as highly carcinogenic chemicals by IARC. Induction of oxidative stress and following disrupting pathways has been repeatedly reported in subjects exposed to PAHs. This study was performed to monitor the oxidative stress markers, hematological and biochemical parameters, and psychological states in coke oven workers. 100 male subjects were included in this comparative cross-sectional study. At first 50 male workers who were 22 - 63 and worked in the steel factory located in South-East of Iran were contained. Control subjects were chosen from Esfahan, in the factory’s neighborhood, consisting of 50 office workers without any background of occupational exposure to metals. The blood levels of hematological factors and oxidative stress were measured. In order to compare data, two-sample t test was applied. In order to measure the correlation between variables, Pearson correlation coefficient was applied. The mean level of total antioxidant capacity, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and hematocrit were significantly lower in the workers in association with increased lipid per oxidation (LPO). A positive correlation existed between work history, hyper thyroids (r2 = 0.288, p = 0.01), and endocrine disorders (r2 = 0.309, p = 0.028). Occupational exposure of coke oven workers to PAHs can induce oxidative stress and consequent metabolic and neuropsychological disorders. When workers take daily shower and use protective tools, absorption of toxic elements would decrease so that reaching them to the body can be suitably limited.