Abstract

EFFECTS OF CEMENT DUST ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN ADULT WISTAR RATS

Eteng M. U.*, Ukpanukpong R. U., Otu D. O. and Ajanaku V. A.

Abstract

Cement production is a rapidly growing industry in developing countries like Nigeria. The process is a dusty industrial one with consequent occupational hazards to workers in the production industry. In this study, twenty rats of mixed sexes were divided into five study groups of four rats each. Group1 was retained as control in the departmental animal house. Groups 2 to 5, which serve as treatments were exposed to very heavy, heavy, medium and mild dust environment, defined by distances from site of production in centimetres. At the end of a month exposure, the animals were sacrificed and blood tissue obtained for haematological analysis by standard methods. The results of haemoglobin concentration (g/dl) of the treatment groups were significantly lower than that of the control at p

Keywords: Platelet count, Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total red and white blood cell.