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

• Published in: International journal of environmental analytical chemistry Vol. 102; no. 12; pp. 2841 - 2853
• Main Authors: Öztoprak, Feyzullah Sacid, Yiğitalp Rençber, Süreyya, Ceylan, Ali, Arıca, Enes, Sayın İpek, Duygu Neval, Kurt, Mehmet Emin, Yetiz, Perver
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 26-09-2022; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Antioxidants; Blood; Blood levels; Cadmium; Chromium; Cigarettes; Correlation; Evaluation; Exhaust emissions; exhaust gas; Exhaust gases; Fossil fuel; Gases; Health risks; Heavy metals; Labour; Lead; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Occupational exposure; Parking facilities; parking garage; Serum; Smoking; TAC; Workers
• ISSN: 0306-7319; 1029-0397
• DOI: 10.1080/03067319.2020.1760857

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.