Carboxylhaemoglobin Concentration among Male, Gasoline Generator Mechanics in Benin City, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Aim: This study is aimed at determining the serum concentration of carboxylhaemoglobin among the gasoline generator mechanics in Benin City. Methods: Forty-four participants and forty-four controls participated in this study. A structured questionnaire was administered to each participant to elicit details such as their personal data, residence, surrounding environment, medications, alcohol consumption, length of time in occupation and daily hour of exposure as well as history of underlying diseases. Blood samples were collected from the participants. The supernatant serum was separated into separate sterile tubes and stored at -200C for up to 2 weeks prior to analysis. Carboxylhaemoglobin concentrations of the samples were measured using ELISA method. Results: Data shows that the mean HbCO concentration in both the generator mechanics (251.16 ng/ml) and their controls (37.30 ng/ml) indicated values far above the normal healthy limit (≤ 3.26 ng/ml). However, the generator mechanics indicated significantly higher mean HbCO values (p < 0.001) compared with the controls. Conclusion: Both the generator mechanics and the controls indicated high serum HbCO concentrations above normal limit, due to chronic exposure to CO gas in the environment. The greater HbCO concentration observed in the generator mechanics may be attributed to the greater exposure of the mechanics to generator exhaust fumes compared to the controls