Regression Formulae for Predicting Hematologic and Liver Functions from Years of Exposure to Cement Dust in Cement Factory Workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Recent studies suggest that occupational exposure to cement dust may have deleterious effects on the lungs and on haematologic and liver functions. The present study was designed to investigate further the relationship between haematologic and liver functions on one hand and years of exposure to cement dust on the other. Haematologic parameters and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels measured previously in 23 cement factory workers were correlated with years of exposure to cement dust. Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) correlated negatively with years of service [r= -0.345 (P<0.0001) and -0.154 (P<0.0001) respectively]. The equations defining these relationships are: Hb concentration = 13.394 - 0.119 x years of service and PCV = 41.065–0.154 x years of service. On the other hand platelet and white blood cell (WBC) counts in these workers correlated positively with years of service [r = 0.342 (P <0.001) and r = 0.130 (P<0.0001) respectively]. The equations defining these relationships are: platelet count = 205.681 +7.041 x years of service and WBC count = 7.64 + 0.078 x years of service.ALP concentration correlated negatively with years of service [r= -0.144, (P< 0.0001)]. The regression equation defining this relationship is: ALP concentration = 33.68 – 0.075 x years of service. These suggest that there was an adverse effect on the haematological parameters and ALP concentration as years of exposure to cement dust increased. The obtained equations may be useful in predicting haematological parameters and ALP concentrations from years of exposure to cement dust.