DOI: 10.11648/j.sjcm.20251402.12 ISSN: 2327-2732

Impact of Benzene Exposure on Hematological Parameters in Workers: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study with Healthy Non-Exposed Controls in Sudan

Ahmed Elkhalifa, Mohammed Almorish, Elham Elamin, Nur Eltaher, Mohammed Tabash, Abdelhakam Tamomh
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Benzene toxicity can lead to a range of serious health impairments, including various forms of anemia and several types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. It is crucial to minimize exposure to benzene in industrial and environmental settings to protect public health and prevent these potentially life-threatening conditions. To investigate the potential impact of benzene exposure on the hematological profile of workers and to compare the results with those of a healthy, non-exposed population. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2022 with Benzene workers at the Kosti benzene stations in Sudan were divided into two groups for a study: an exposure group consisting of eighty-seven individuals who were exposed to benzene, and an unexposed group of eighty-seven individuals who had no exposure. Blood samples were collected from all participants in Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) tubes for Complete Blood Count (CBC) analysis. The results indicated that the mean values for Red Blood Cells (RBCs) count were significantly higher in the exposure group compared to the control group. Similarly, the lymphocyte count showed a significant increase in the exposure group versus the control group (P<0.001). Additionally, the Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) was also significantly elevated in the exposed individuals compared to the healthy participants (P<0.001). Conversely, the mean values for Mean Cell Volume (MCV) were significantly lower in the exposure group compared to the control group. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels were also significantly reduced in the exposed group versus the control group (P<0.001). The packed cell volume (PCV) was lower in the exposure group compared to the control (P<0.001). Other hematological significant decreases were observed in Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH), Neutrophil count, Monocyte count and Platelet (PLTs) count (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in the mean values of Total White Blood Cells (TWBCs) count and Eosinophil count between the exposed and non-exposed groups. This analytical comparative study highlights the substantial influence of benzene exposure on the hematological parameters of Sudanese workers, indicating notable disparities in hematological variables, thus emphasizing the need for occupational exposure monitoring and protective strategies for benzine workers.

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