ELECTROYLE CONCENTRATION IN FUEL PUMP ATTENDANTS WITHIN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS

Emeji Roseline, Obeagu Emmanuel Ifeanyi*, Idoko Roseline, Esanye Barasua

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine the electrolyte concentration in fuel pump attendants exposed to petroleum pollutants in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers state. Plasma electrolyte concentrations of twenty fuel pump attendants were compared with ten apparently healthy individuals as control. The result showed that mean ± standard deviation of potassium 4.3± 1.8,sodium 151±3.7,chloride115±14.6,bicarbonate 26±3.3 in fuel pump attendants while the control is potassium 3.5±0.2, sodium137±2.5, chloride101±0.3,bicarbonate21±1.3 respectively. The Result shows that electrolyte concentration is more significantly increase in fuel pump attendants, except potassium that do not show not quite difference in statistical significance than in control (P <0.05).This changes can be attributed to prolong exposure. And inhalation of petrol fumes into the lungs. Which serves as a predisosing factor to the impairment of the kidney function and it can cause a wide variety of toxicological effects as well as biochemical dysfunction that constitute serious health hazard to humanity. This study here by recommend that good health education should be carried out by the primary health care board to sensitize the petrol pump attendants on how to develop the habit of using protective. Clothing (especially nose mask) during work, to prevent direct inhalation of petroleum fumes.

Keywords: Sodium ion, Potassium ion, Chloride, Bicarbonate, Fuel pump attendants.