Abstract
Background: Petrol pump workers are exposed to many air pollutants and chemicals such as benzene, lead, other heavy metals, carbon monoxide (CO), and their metabolites in the work premises of petrol pump, which has carcinogenic and hematotoxic effects.

Aims and Objective: This study was conducted to find the effect of benzene and other air pollutants on red blood cell (RBC) counts, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and platelets in petrol pump workers of Surat city.

Materials and Methods: Thirty (30) healthy male petrol pump workers aged 20–50 years, working for more than 1 year (more than 8 h/day) who volunteered for the study were taken as the study group. Thirty (30) healthy male non-petrol pump workers aged 20–50 years matching socioeconomically with the study group were taken as control group. Morning (8–10 AM) blood samples were collected under aseptic precautions from all the participants. Blood samples were analyzed by 3-part automated cell counter ABX MICROS 60 in the hematology lab of the Department of Physiology, GMC, Surat. Data were presented as mean ± SD and compared using unpaired t-test. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results: RBC counts were significantly higher in the study group (4.91 ± 0.6) than in the control group (4.51 ± 0.5). Concentration of Hb was significantly higher in study group (13.58 ± 1.3) than in the control group (12.71 + 0.8). Platelet count was lower in study group (263.99 ± 84.3) than in the control group (278.3 ± 60.0).

Conclusions: We found increased RBC count and Hb concentration, which may be due to adverse effect of CO, which causes tissue hypoxia and stimulation of RBC formation. Platelet counts were lower due to bone marrow depression caused by benzene.

Key words: Red Blood Cell; Air-Pollutants; Petrol Pump Workers; Hematotoxicity