Benzene exposure in humans has significant negative health consequences and may be linked to an increased risk of blood biochemical changes. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the level of lead in blood of fuel station workers at various petroleum stations in holly Makkah city and look into its effects on specific blood biochemical parameters. Blood samples were collected from 63 individuals, including 44 samples from gasoline station workers (exposed group) and 19 samples from women who were not subjected to any kind of benzene exposure (nonexposed group). Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire and 10 ml of venous blood was collected for the determination of lead and biochemical parameters. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The median (range) of blood lead level among exposed group 40.5 (4.0-90.0) 5μg/dL was significantly higher (P = 0.00) than non-exposed group 3.2 (2.7-15.0) μg/dL). Exposed workers had decreased level in albumin, glucose, total protein, and hemoglobin when compared with normal level in human blood (p<0.0001). The results also confirmed that, there was significant relation between exposure to benzene and increase in blood cholesterol (p<0.01). The correlation between benzene exposure and the blood lead level was confirmed by comparing with the non-exposed group (p<0.01).
The outcomes from the exposure call upon increased concern for policy action to avoid the adverse effects of benzene on gasoline stations workers’ health.