AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Original Article
Mar 02, 2026 6 4

Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants

Chizoba Okechukwu Okeke 1 * ,
Favour Chinazom Okoye 1,
Chisom Makuachukwu Okeke 2,
Ejeatuluchukwu Obi 3,
Faith Ifeoma Mazi 1
1 Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria2 Department of Family Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria3 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria* Corresponding Author
Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(1), 2026, aubm016, https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030
Publication date: Mar 02, 2026
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute and chronic exposure to petrochemical products through inhalation or ingestion affects the health of individuals, with prolonged exposure likely to cause more adverse effects. Attendants at petrol stations in developing countries rarely use protective wear and are usually occupationally exposed to petrochemical gases. It is hypothesized that exposure to petrochemical gases may interfere with iron homeostasis.
Objective: This study examined the changes in the levels of serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in relation to work-related exposure to petrochemical products in petrol station attendants.
Method: This cross-sectional study included 100 age and sex matched participants comprising 50 petrol station attendants and 50 control subjects. Venous blood samples were collected from the subjects and analyzed for serum iron, TIBC and ESR.  The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The mean levels of serum iron and TIBC were significantly lower in petrol station attendants than in control participants. However, the ESR did not differ significantly between the two groups. The levels of serum iron and TIBC was decreased with longer work duration (> 12 months) than with 1- 6 months duration, whereas the ESR increased with longer duration of work-related exposure (>12 months) than with shorter durations of  work-related exposure (7-12 months and 1-6 months respectively) (p<0.05). There was also a significant positive correlation, between work-related duration of exposure to petrochemical gas and ESR and a significant negative correlation between the work-related duration of exposure and TIBC (P< 0.05).  Additionally, male petrol station attendants had significantly higher levels of serum iron than females, whereas the ESR was greater in females than in males. Additionally, male control participants had higher levels of serum iron and TIBC than females, while the ESR was greater in females than the in males (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Petrol station attendants had significantly lower levels of serum iron and TIBC than unexposed control. This may imply that occupational exposure to petrochemical products may affect iron homeostasis.

KEYWORDS

Iron Petrol Station Attendants Inflammation Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

CITATION (Vancouver)

Okeke CO, Okoye FC, Okeke CM, Obi E, Mazi FI. Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research. 2026;2(1):aubm016. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030
APA
Okeke, C. O., Okoye, F. C., Okeke, C. M., Obi, E., & Mazi, F. I. (2026). Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(1), aubm016. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030
Harvard
Okeke, C. O., Okoye, F. C., Okeke, C. M., Obi, E., and Mazi, F. I. (2026). Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, 2(1), aubm016. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030
AMA
Okeke CO, Okoye FC, Okeke CM, Obi E, Mazi FI. Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants. Australian Journal of Biomedical Research. 2026;2(1), aubm016. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030
Chicago
Okeke, Chizoba Okechukwu, Favour Chinazom Okoye, Chisom Makuachukwu Okeke, Ejeatuluchukwu Obi, and Faith Ifeoma Mazi. "Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants". Australian Journal of Biomedical Research 2026 2 no. 1 (2026): aubm016. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030
MLA
Okeke, Chizoba Okechukwu et al. "Changes In the Levels of Serum Iron, Total Iron-Binding Capacity and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and Association with Work-Related Exposure to Petrochemical Products in Petrol Station Attendants". Australian Journal of Biomedical Research, vol. 2, no. 1, 2026, aubm016. https://doi.org/10.63946/aubiomed/18030

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