Occupational Paint Exposure: Effect on Blood Glucose and Hematological Profile of Male Paint Workers in Owerri, Nigeria

Background: Paint workers are occupationally exposed to harmful chemicals; solvents, pigments and heavy metals found in paint products during their application and removal.

Objective: This study was carried out to examine the effect of occupational exposure to paint on blood levels of glucose and hematological profile.

Methods: A total of 80 participants constituting of 40 male paint workers and 40 healthy male controls were selected for this study. Six (6) mL of fasting venous blood was collected from each participant. Three ml of blood was dispensed into fluoride oxalate container and was used to determine the blood glucose level employing the spectrophotometric glucose oxidase method, While, 3mL was dispensed into EDTA container and used in determination of hematological profile, employing automation technique. All data generated were subjected to statistical analysis using IBM SPSS version 21.

Results: Blood glucose was significantly higher in male paint workers (109.70±9.831 mg/dl) compared to the male controls (85.25±11.72 mg/dl) (p=0.000). However, WBC, monocytes, RBC, Hb and platelets were significantly lower in male paint workers (3.93±0.625 x 109/l, 5.61±1.41 %, 4.06±0.52 x 1012/l, 13.34±0.68 g/dl and 157.00±23.96 x 109/l) respectively compared to the male controls (4.92±1.05 x 109/l, 6.96±1.79 %, 4.88±0.29 x 1012/l, 15.00±0.51 g/dl and 211±56.60 x109/l respectively) (p=0.000, 0.008, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.001 respectively). There were non-significant correlations of blood glucose with WBC, RBC, Hb and platelets in male paint workers (p> 0.05 in each case). There were non-significant correlations of WBC with neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil counts in male paint workers (p> 0.05 in each case).

Conclusion: Lower levels of some hematological indices parallel higher level of blood glucose in male paint workers. This may be as a result of the toxic effects of paint constituents on the exposed male paint workers