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ABSTRACT
Cement is a chemical compound used extensively in construction that sets, hardens and adheres to other materials and binds them together. Portland cement is one of the most common types of cement is a basic ingredient of concrete and it is caustic which can cause chemical burns, irritations or, with severe exposure lung cancer and can contain a number of hazardous components, including crystalline silica and hexavalent chromium. The health risks posed by inhaled dust particles are influenced by the deposition pattern of the particles in the various regions of the body and by the biological responses exerted by the deposited dust particles. This study aims to examine the effect of cement dust exposure on thyroid hormone, testosterone and c-reactive protein among occupationally exposed individuals in Benin City, Nigeria. One hundred and sixty (160) individuals (40 manufacturers, 40 bricklayers, 40 distributors and 40 controls) were recruited from different areas of Benin City for this study. Three milliliters (3mls) of blood samples were collected from the individuals and were analyzed.The mean ± SD of Thyroxine of factory workers (11.17 ± 0.42) and distributors (9.94 ± 0.36) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the control group (8.22 ± 0.22). The mean ± SD of Thyroid stimulating hormone in factory workers (1.61 ± 0.14) and distributors (2.02 ± 0.15) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the control group (2.73 ± 0.16).The mean ± SD of Testosterone in factory workers (3.18 ± 0.11), distributors (3.86 ± 0.11) and bricklayers (4.21 ± 0.11) were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in the control group (5.30 ± 0.20). The mean ± SD of CRP in factory workers (13.90 ± 1.51) and distributors (10.68 ± 1.35) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the control group (5.45 ± 0.30). The findings in this study concluded that exposure to cement particles causes significant increase and decrease in Thyroid hormones, Thyroid stimulating hormone, testosterone and C-Reactive protein. Hence the need for further studies on the effects of over exposure of cement dust on the thyroid hormone, testosterone and c-reactive protein.
