IMPACT OF PETROLEUM FUMES ON LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTIONING OF PETROL FILLING ATTENDANTS AND GARAGE ATTENDANTS WORKING IN SOUTH HARYANA, INDIA

Kapil Soni*, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Arun Gupta and Vedpal Yadav

ABSTRACT

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of occupational exposure of petroleum fumes on liver and kidney functioning of petrol filling and garage attendants presently working in our locality i.e. South Haryana, India. Methodology: A total of 125 adult males (18-40 years) were divided in following five groups: were (i) control group consists of grocery shop attendants, (ii) petrol filling station attendants with occupational exposure upto 8 years, (iii) petrol filling station attendants with occupational exposure more than 8 years, (iv) garage attendants with occupational exposure upto 8 years; and (v) garage attendants with occupational exposure more than 8 years. Serum levels of cholesterol, SGOT, SGPT and creatinine were assessed to evaluate the impact of petroleum fumes on liver and kidneys functioning of the test subjects. Results: There was a significant elevation in SGOT and SGPT level in petroleum fumes exposed groups indicated predisposition for hepatotoxicity while a sharp elevation in blood cholesterol of all test groups indicated the potential of petroleum fumes for arteriosclerosis development. Moreover, susceptibility of nephrotoxicity was also observed, as there was sharp elevation in serum cretanine level in petroleum fumes exposed groups in comparison to control group subjects. Conclusion: The occupational exposure of petroleum fumes can make the attendants / workers vulnerable for hepatotoxicity, hypercholestrenemia and nephrotoxicity. So, the need of hour is to adopt some precautionary measures so as to minimize such peril of petroleum fumes exposure.

Keywords: Petroleum Fumes, Petrol filling attendants, Garage attendants, Lead, Benzene, Gasoline.