Evaluation of the effects of occupational exposure to toxic gases on respiratory system biomarkers among oil company workers in Basra, Iraq

S. K. Yousif; H. J. Abbas; I. A. Nassar

doi:10.15421/0226031

S. K. Yousif Southern Technical University
H. J. Abbas University of Basra
I. A. Nassar Southern Technical University

Keywords: occupational exposure, toxic gases, respiratory biomarkers, renal biomarkers, inflammatory markers, oil workers.

Abstract

Occupational exposure to toxic gases in oil industry settings poses significant risks to respiratory health, making the a s sessment of biomarkers essential for early detection of pulmonary and systemic effects among worker. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to toxic gases on respiratory system biomarkers among oil company wor k ers in Basra, Iraq. The study was a case-control investigation at Basra General Hospital involving 130 petroleum workers from three sites and 56 healthy controls, aged 28–59 years, employed >5 years, excluding smokers or those with chronic diseases. Conducted from December 2024 to July 2025, blood samples were analyzed for CC16, α-GST, KIM-1, SP-A, LDH, and CRP using ELISA, photometric, and turbidimetric assays to assess inflammatory and organ-specific biomarkers. The study showed no significant differences in age or BMI across groups or work sites. Occupational exposure to toxic gases was associated with significant increases in inflammatory markers (CRP, LDH), renal biomarkers (α-GST, KIM-1), and respiratory marker SP-A, while CC16 remained unchanged. Exposure duration and work location affected some biomarkers, particularly α-GST and SP-A. Risk assessment indicated that elevated LDH, α-GST, KIM-1, and SP-A significantly i n creased the likelihood of exposure, highlighting the impact of toxic gases on cellular, renal, and respiratory functions. Occ u pational exposure to toxic gases in oil workers significantly elevates inflammatory, renal, and respiratory biomarkers, likely due to oxidative stress and cellular damage induced by inhaled toxins. CC16 remains unaffected, suggesting selective organ-specific responses to exposure.

References

Anggraini, F. T. (2022). The potential CC16 (Clara cell protein 16) as biomarkers of lung damage in COVID-19 survivors: Literature review. Contagion, 4(2), 337–347.

Arora, V. K., Chandra, K., & Chandra, M. (2019). Occupational tuberculosis in sewage workers: A neglected domain. Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, 66(1), 3–5.

Benson, C., Dimopoulos, C., Argyropoulos, C. D., Varianou Mikellidou, C., & Boustras, G. (2021). Assessing the common occupational health hazards and their health risks among oil and gas workers. Safety Science, 140, 105284.

Calabrese, F., Montero-Fernandez, M. A., Kern, I., Pezzuto, F., Lunardi, F., Hofman, P., Berezowska, S., Attanoos, R., Burke, L., Mason, P., Balestro, E., Molina Molina, M., Giraudo, C., Prosch, H., Brcic, L., & Galateau-Salle, F. (2024). The role of pathologists in the diagnosis of occupational lung diseases: An expert opinion of the European Society of Pathology Pulmonary Pathology Working Group. Virchows Archiv, 485(2), 173–195.

Chatrin, C., Gabrielsen, M., Buetow, L., Nakasone, M. A., Ahmed, S. F., Sumpton, D., Sibbet, G. J., Smith, B. O., & Huang, D. T. (2020). Structural insights into ADP-ribosylation of ubiquitin by Deltex family E3 ubiquitin ligases. Science Advances, 6, eabc0418.

Cordiano, R., Papa, V., Cicero, N., Spatari, G., Allegra, A., & Gangemi, S. (2022). Effects of benzene: Hematological and hypersensitivity manifestations in resident living in oil refinery areas. Toxics, 10(11), 678.

Duan, H., Wang, Y., Wang, Z., & Wang, T. (2019). O3C.5 Reduced serum Clara cell protein (CC16) as an early pulmonary injury marker for fine particulate matter exposure in occupational population. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 76(S1), A26.3–A27.

Kang, D., Jung, S., Kim, Y.-J., Kim, J., Choi, S., Kim, S. Y., & Kim, Y. (2021). Reconstruction of the Korean asbestos job exposure matrix. Safety and Health at Work, 12(1), 74–95.

Kaur, J., Sharma, A., Passi, G., Dey, P., Khajuria, A., Alajangi, H. K., Jaiswal, P. K., Barnwal, R. P., & Singh, G. (2024). Nanomedicine at the pulmonary frontier: Immune-centric approaches for respiratory disease treatment. Immunological Investigations, 53(3), 295–347.

Lal, N. K., Nagalakshmi, U., Hurlburt, N. K., Flores, R., Bak, A., Sone, P., Ma, X., Song, G., Walley, J., Shan, L., He, P., Casteel, C., Fisher, A. J., & Dinesh-Kumar, S. P. (2018). The receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase BIK1 localizes to the nucleus and regulates defense hormone expression during plant innate immunity. Cell Host and Microbe, 23(4), 485–497.

Lima, S., Santiago, F., Silvestre, R., Elexias, S., Ornellas, M. H., & Carvalho, M. (2024). Recent advances in biomonitoring of gas station workers: A systematic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 25(10), 3439–3445.

Mallon, T. M., Krahl, P. K., Haines, K. M., Walker, D. I., Thatcher, T., Woeller, C. F., Thakar, J., Hopke, P. K., Gaydos, J. C., Smith, M. R., Uppal, K., Go, Y.-M., Jones, D. P., & Utell, M. (2019). Use of biomarkers to assess environmental exposures and health outcomes in deployed troops. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(S12), S1–S4.

Mocelin, H. T., Fischer, G. B., & Bush, A. (2022). Adverse early-life environmental exposures and their repercussions on adult respiratory health. Journal de Pediatria, 98, S86–S95.

Moetiara, E. (2020). Risk assessment of airborne PM2.5 exposure of forest and land fire haze to petrol-pump officers in Pekanbaru. Acta Scientific Medical Sciences, 4(9), 152–157.

Moneim, W. A., Hady, R. H. A., George, S. M., & Hafiz, W. (2023). The potential biochemical and clinical hazards in some petroleum station workers. Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 21(1), 92–109.

Moro, A. M., Sauer, E., Brucker, N., Charão, M. F., Gauer, B., do Nascimento, S. N., Goethel, G., Duarte, M. M. M. F., & Garcia, S. C. (2019). Evaluation of immunological, inflammatory, and oxidative stress biomarkers in gasoline station attendants. BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 20(S1), 75.

Nangola, S., Thongtip, S., Saoin, S., Kloypan, C., Pimonsree, S., & Tantrakarnapa, K. (2023). Factors related to club cell protein 16 (CC16) and quality of life in Northern Thailand. EnvironmentAsia, 16(1), 169–183.

Otitolaiye, V. O., & Al-Harethiya, G. M. (2022). Impacts of petroleum refinery emissions on the health and safety of local residents. Journal of Air Pollution and Health, 7(1), 69–80.

Polyong, C. P., & Thetkathuek, A. (2024). Liver function, kidney function, glycohemoglobin, neurotransmitters, and heart markers and factors affecting blood biochemistry among workers at gas service stations, Thailand. Journal of Public Health and Emergency, 8, 22.

Rahimi Moghadam, S., Afshari, M., Ganjali, A., & Moosazadeh, M. (2020). Effect of occupational exposure to petrol and gasoline components on liver and renal biochemical parameters among gas station attendants, a review and meta-analysis. Reviews on Environmental Health, 35(4), 517–530.

Raja, U., & Iqbal, N. (2019). Ensuring worker safety in Lahore’s large industries: A study on occupational health, safety, and risk management. Journal of Energy and Environmental Policy Options, 2(4), 117–124.

Rizk, A. A., Abd El-Wahab, E. W., El-Marakby, F. A., & El-Gazzar, R. M. (2020). Assessment of oxidative stress among refueling workers in an Egyptian setting. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27(15), 18099–18108.

Sajid Jabbar, A., & Ali, E. T. (2020). Impact of petroleum exposure on some hematological indices, interleukin-6, and inflammatory markers of workers at petroleum stations in Basra City. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2020, 7693891.

Scammell, M. K., Sennett, C. M., Petropoulos, Z. E., Kamal, J., & Kaufman, J. S. (2019). Environmental and occupational exposures in kidney disease. Seminars in Nephrology, 39(3), 230–243.

Singh, G. K., Rai, S., & Jadon, N. (2021). Major ambient air pollutants and toxicity exposure on human health and their respiratory system: A review. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 12(7), 1774–1788.

Straumfors, A., Eduard, W., Heldal, K. K., Skogstad, M., Barregård, L., & Ellingsen, D. G. (2018). Pneumoproteins and markers of inflammation and platelet activation in the blood of grain dust exposed workers. Biomarkers, 23(8), 748–755.

Tonbra Egoro, E., Ilegbedion, G. I., Oni, E. S., & Charlotte, H. (2023). Assessment of some toxico-inflammatory, hepato-renal and cardio-oxidative stress biomarkers among waste pickers in Ajegunle Lagos State Nigeria. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 16(3), 111–119.