Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Occupational Health and Industrial Medicine, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
2
Department of Occupational Health and Industrial Medicine, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
3
Department of Environmental Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University
Abstract
Background: Natural gas (NG) is one of the world’s three primary energy sources. However, workers in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry are routinely exposed to various occupational hazards, including mechanical, physical, chemical, and psychosocial factors, as well as risks of fires and explosions.
Objective(s): to assess some hematological and biochemical changes among workers exposed to Liquified Natural Gas in Egypt.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 181 workers in LNG industry, assigned into two groups: An exposed group including workers exposed to the different industrial processes, and a non-exposed group including workers engaged in administrative and clerical activities at the same LNG Company. Data were collected by a structured interviewing questionnaire and by performing a general clinical examination and some laboratory investigations, as complete blood count, fasting blood glucose, Liver enzymes, renal functions tests, tumor markers tests as Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125), Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA). Indoor air contaminants as Methanol, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Ethylene Glycol, Hexane, Benzene, total Volatile Organic Compound, Nitrogen Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide were measured inside the LNG plant and the resultant measurement were presented as midrange and compared to the equivalent Threshold Limit Value according to Egyptian law.
Results: The study revealed that there were statistically insignificant differences between exposed and non-exposed workers regarding all measured parameters except for some blood indices (HB, RBCs, Hematocrit and lymphocytic count) and some of the evaluated tumor markers, as Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125).. Regarding air levels of measured air contaminants all over the plant, they were lower than threshold limit values, except for Benzene which was coming from nearby industries.
Conclusion: LNG exposure is safe, and no health effects are expected if its contaminants are kept below their threshold limit values. Benzene was the offending factor coming from nearby industries.
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