PM10 Emitted from Gravel Crushers and their Effects on Complete Blood Counts for Workers, Middle Governorate – Gaza, Palestine.
Case-control study was conducted during the period from April to August, 2013 on all gravel crushers at
Middle Gaza Governorates. There were 87 individuals participants invloved in this study, out of which 40 were case and 47 control groups respectively. PM10 concentration level was measured in the six crushers, and all participants were subjected to Complete Blood Counts.
This was conducted to evaluate the level of PM10 air pollution in crusher’s plants, and their impacts on complete blood counts for crushers workers. Results showed that an average of particulate matter contributions is 15153 μg/m3, which is about 100 times higher than PM10 existing standard of 150 μg/m3.
As well as, it showed clear links between PM10 exposure and CBC changes among exposed group. Increasing in white blood cells count were more common among the exposed group, whereas in the non-exposed group, CBC did not change.
Therefore, we can conclude that PM10 concentration level in crushers plants were much higher than the existing standard. Occupational exposure to PM10 leads to CBC changes especially increasing in white blood cells count.
Many studies have shown that acute exposure to PM10 is associated with leukocytosis. Studies have observed that long-term PM10 exposures are associated with CBC changes such as increasing white blood cells count.
In 2007, the World Health Organization released data on estimated deaths worldwide attributable to selected environmental risk factors including deaths per country per year as a result of outdoor air pollution.
Pulm Res Respir Med Open J. 2015; 2(4): 122-125. doi: 10.17140/PRRMOJ-2-120