Assessment of lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and total antioxidant capacity levels of employees exposed to exhaust gases in closed parking lots

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the blood lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium levels and serum TAC levels of the parking garage workers exposed to exhaust gas.

Method: This study is a cross-sectional one, and covers 76 volunteers working in closed parking lots in Diyarbakır.

Results: Results about heavy metal were evaluated according to the upper limits of International Labour Organization (ILO), and TAC results were evaluated according to the reference limits of the Rel Assay Diagnostics Kit. A negative correlation was found between the TAC levels and lead, chromium and mercury levels. The relationship between smokers and cadmium levels was significant. A positive correlation was found between the number of cigarettes smoked daily and blood cadmium levels. In this study, it was observed that the mean values of heavy metals measured in the blood of the participants were higher than the reference values. In addition, mean values of serum TAC levels were found lower than reference values.

Conclusion: In this study, it was observed that heavy metals in exhaust gas negatively affect the total antioxidant capacities of parking garage workers. This is a serious threat to the health of parking garage workers. All stakeholders of this health problem should take necessary measures and make arrangements immediately.

KEYWORDS:

• Fossil fuel
• exhaust gas
• parking garage
• heavy metals
• TAC

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Dicle University Scientific Research Projects Coordinator  (DUBAP).