PLASMA LIPIDS OF MALE WORKERS EXPOSED TO CEMENT DUST IN ABA

Medicine

Occupational exposure to cement dust causes many serious health hazards of which cardiovascular disorders are inclusive. This study is therefore aimed at evaluating the plasma lipids of cement dust exposed male workers in Aba. Hundred subjects comprising of fifty exposed workers and fifty non-exposed control group aged 21 – 61 years were randomly selected for this study and have been exposed for not less than eight years. The cement dust exposed workers were grouped based on their duration of exposure. They were measured for their weights (in kg), height (in meters), age, body mass index (BMI), plasma glucose and blood pressure. Lipid profile was measured using semi-automated analyzer and lipid ratios were calculated using lipid values .The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with P-value equal to or less than 0.05 (P≤ 0.05). The mean total cholesterolTriglyceride LDL cholesterol were significantly high in cement dust exposed workers compared to control. Equally, observed in the study, was that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the diastolic blood pressure, lipid ratios and anthropometric indices measured. The study has shown that lipid profile, systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose levels are significantly higher in cement workers as compared to the controls. Thus, this suggests that workers exposed to cement dust are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disorders. However, appropriate safety measures should be taken by cement workers to reduce the degree of exposure to cement dust, and also lipid profile analysis should be included as part of the routine medical laboratory test,so as to enable early detection and identification of workers at risk of developing cardiovascular disorders.

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