Evaluation of Blood Components, Oxidative Stress, and Biochemical Parameters Among Badoush Cement Workers with Asthma

Abstract

Asthma has recently become more prevalent among cement workers, primarily due to their exposure to air pollutants, especially in factories where protective measures are insufficient. Asthma is a chronic chest disease that affects the lungs, by causing the airways which carry air to and from the lungs' tighten, creating breathing difficulties.  This study aimed to assess the impact of air pollutants from cement plants on workers with asthma in the Badoush area. Several blood components were assessed, including hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV%), platelet count (PLTs), white blood cell count (WBCs), and red blood cell count (RBCs). Additionally, kidney and liver functions, oxidative status, and antioxidant levels were evaluated. The study was conducted on workers employed at the cement production plants with asthma in the Badoush area, during the period from August to December 2023. It included 40 asthmatic workers with disease durations ranging from 1 to 10 years, along with a control group of 40 with the same ages ranging from 35-55 years. Results indicated that there was a rise in oxidative stress state in cement workers with asthma, and a decrease in the number of RBCs, WBCs, Hb concentration, and PCV% compared to the control group. The results also showed elevated levels of urea and creatinine, along with increased activities of the enzymes CA, AST, ALT, and ALP in cement workers with asthma. Additionally, an enhanced oxidative stress was observed in these workers, characterized by decreased  antioxidant levels and a rise in oxidant levels in comparison to the control group. Overall, there is a clear effect of cement pollutants on cement workers with asthma, which leads to an increase the anaemia and affects the functions of the kidneys and liver with an increase in oxidative stress among them, which requires sick workers to take more precautions than other workers who do not suffer from asthma.