Abstract

It has recently been reported that workers in cement factory are exposed to some trace metals in excess of the general population and these have been implicated in diseases incidence in cement factory workers. Studies examining the extent of exposure of workers in different departments of cement factory to these trace metals are not available, thus, necessitate this study. The present study determines the serum levels of some essential trace metals (chromium, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium and iron) and blood leucocyte differential counts in 45 cement factory workers ( packing and loading (13), milling (19) and crushing and earth movement section (13) ) working in different sections of the factory in a Nigeria cement factory. Serum chromium, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium and iron were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer while leucocyte differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils) counts were determined manually. Serum levels of selenium, copper and iron were significantly higher (p<0.05) in workers working in the packing and loading section relative to the other two groups. While chromium was significantly higher (p<0.05) in workers in milling section. Also, eosinophils and monocyte were significantly higher in workers working in milling section. Though, workers in packing section have higher mean levels of lymphocyte and neutrophils, the levels were not statistically significant (p>0.05). This study suggest that workers in packing and loading section are more liable to come down with toxic effects of these trace metals if exposure rate is not control, followed by workers in milling section and this is reflected in significant increase in allergy markers (eosinophils and monocytes), thus, possible toxicity implications.