Assessment of workers' lipid profiles in cement factories in South-South Nigeria

Cement dust exposure has also been associated with both increased oxidative stress and decreased anti-oxidant capacity, which in turn can promote lipid peroxidation and consequently dyslipidaemia. This study was carried out to determine the lipid profile of cement factory workers in Ekpoma and environs. A total of eighty (80) samples were used in this study comprising fifty (50) cement factory workers (subjects) and thirty (30) non-cement factory workers (control). Lipid profile was determined using standard laboratory procedures. The results were presented in tables as mean ± standard deviation. Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the student’s t-test. Significant difference was accepted at p<0.05. The results presented in mean ± standard deviation showed that the age of the subjects and control was 24.60±4.46 and 30.45±6.80, the Height (m) was 1.64±0.09 and 1.82±0.74, the Weight (kg) was 64.25±4.91 and 71.10±12.75, while the BMI (kg/m2) was 23.78±2.16 and 22.35±4.09 respectively. The concentration of Total cholesterol (mg/dl) in mean ± standard deviation of the subjects and control group was 157.65±25.07 and 152.40±22.67, Triglyceride (mg/dl) was 192.45±44.84 and 111.75±11.35, HDL (mg/dl) was 35.65±3.36 and 45.60±5.89, while LDL (mg/dl) was 84.30±20.16 and 77.35±15.70 respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the lipid profile of cement factory workers with respect to duration of work. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in Height, Triglyceride and LDL of the subjects with respect to age, while others were not significant (p>0.05). The study concludes that total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were higher among cement workers compared with control, while HDL was lower among cement workers. Long term exposure to cement dust should be monitored, thus calling for collaboration between the health workers and cement factory management to ensure frequent monitoring of their workers’ health.