Alterations in Whole Blood Count Parameters and Some Inflammatory Biomarkers of Occupationally Exposed Metal Recyclers: A Case-Control Study

Background: Metal recycling is an integral industry contributing significantly to sustainable resource management. However, metal recyclers are exposed to various occupational hazards, such as metal fumes and dust, which may impact their health. This study investigates the alterations in full blood count parameters and some inflammatory biomarkers in metal recyclers.

Method: Fifty (50) participants were enrolled from Benin City, south-south Nigeria; consisting of thirty (30) male metal recyclers matched with twenty (20) unexposed participants (control). Full blood count parameters such as hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, platelet count, red cell indices, hematocrit, and red cell distribution width were determined using standard methods, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was calculated from the full blood count parameters and high sensitivity C-reactive protein was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: Results obtained from this study showed a significant increase in the white blood cell count of exposed participants (7.17± 1.80×10 3µl) compared with control (5.08± 1.45×103µl) (p< 0.001). Platelet count was significantly elevated (p< 0.048) in the exposed group (248.73±129.13×103µl) compared to the control group (186.85± 53.29×103µl). Lymphocyte level was significantly reduced in the exposed group (43.10± 8.59%) compared to the control group (50.87± 8.69%) (p< 0.05). The red cell distribution width was significantly reduced in the exposed group (41.67± 5.10µm3) compared to the control group (44.66 ± 5.16µm3) (p< 0.05). The hs – C-reactive protein was significantly increased in the exposed group (9.73± 10.35µg/ml) compared to the control group (2.46±1.16µg/ml) (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: This study concludes that occupational exposure to metal recycling causes a significant increase in white blood cell count, platelet count, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and a significant decrease in lymphocytes and red cell distribution width of metal recyclers.