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Spectrophotometric determination of carboxyhaemoglobin in a sample of automobile mechanics occupationally exposed to carbon monoxide
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic, colourless gas that results from the incomplete
combustion of coal and other petroleum-derived materials. Within anthropogenic sources of carbon
monoxide emissions, air pollution from car emissions accounts for about 75% of the total air
pollution present in atmosphere. Inhalation of this gas is considered to be potentially toxic to the
body, resulting in a haemoglobin variant with reduced oxygen transport capacity,
carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb). As the endogenous concentration of COHb in a healthy adult varies
from 0.1% to 1.0%, higher values can lead to respiratory problems, visual perception impairment
and manual dexterity, headache and nausea. The present study aimed to compare the amount of
carboxyhaemoglobin present in a sample of 8 mechanics, working at automobile repair shops (test
group), with the carboxyhaemoglobin present in a control group (16 non-mechanic individuals), via
a spectrophotometric method, as well as to verify if the years of labour activity, along with the use
of personal protective equipment (PPE) influences this parameter. Methods: A simple descriptive
level II research study was developed to find relationships between variables. It is considered to be
a case-control study and is further classified as analytical, observational, transversal and
retrospective. Results: The results showed that the blood concentration of COHb (%COHb) in the
test group was on average 0.653 ± 0.087% and in the control group, it was on average 0.477 ±
0.133%. Statistically significant differences were observed in relation to the carboxyhaemoglobin
values between the test group and the control group (p = 0.002); however, no statistically significant
differences were found between the years of work activity (p = 0.711) and use of PPE (p = 0.392)
when compared to the carboxyhaemoglobin values of the test group. Although statistically
significant differences were obtained in COHb values between the two groups, values higher than
1.0% in the test group (average of 0.653%) were not obtained. Conclusions: In this study, although
no altered COHb values were found in the test group, new lines of research on this subject are
recommended, aiming to broaden and deepen the field of knowledge, aiming at the protection of
this type of workers.
Description
Keywords
Carboxyhaemoglobin Mechanics Carbon monoxide Occupational exposure
Citation
Dias, C., Marques, M., Santos, V. & Tavares, A.S. (2018). Spectrophotometric determination of carboxyhaemoglobin in a sample of automobile mechanics occupationally exposed to carbon monoxide. Res Net Health 4, 1-7.
Publisher
Instituto Politécnico de Leiria