Research Article
Effect of Fuel Exposure on Oil Company Workers
Ogbutor Udoji Godsday*
,
Ndubuishi Ifechukwudeni Christabel,
Nwose Jephtah Junior,
Anastacia Okwudili Ojimba,
Isaac Precious,
Erumi Blessing Selly-U,
Ogbutor Emeke Godson
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
43-59
Received:
24 July 2026
Accepted:
3 August 2026
Published:
22 August 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.jher.20261203.11
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Abstract: Background: Occupational exposure to petroleum products poses substantial physiological risks to oil company workers. Aim: This study assessed the physiological effects of fuel exposure among oil company workers in Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: This study employed a comparative cross-sectional design involving 330 participants comprising 165 exposed workers (fuel attendants, refinery workers, and maintenance/technical staff) and 165 non-exposed academic staff of Delta State University, Abraka, serving as controls. Measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), pulse rate (PR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and body temperature were obtained, alongside assessment of clinical symptoms across four physiological domains. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and chi-square tests at p < 0.05. Results: Exposed workers demonstrated significantly higher mean SBP (136.5 ± 14.2 vs. 124.3 ± 11.8 mmHg), DBP (88.7 ± 9.6 vs. 79.5 ± 8.4 mmHg), PR (84.2 ± 10.5 vs. 76.8 ± 8.9 bpm), and body temperature (37.2 ± 0.4 vs. 36.8 ± 0.3°C) compared to controls (all p < 0.001). Conversely, SpO2 (94.8 ± 2.1 vs. 97.1 ± 1.5%) and PEFR (410.6 ± 65.3 vs. 465.2 ± 58.7 L/min) were significantly lower in exposed workers (p < 0.001). Chi-square analysis revealed significantly higher prevalence of respiratory (χ2 = 42.67), neurological (χ2 = 46.18), and dermatological symptoms (χ2 = 32.54), and overall physiological symptom burden (χ2 = 52.89) among exposed workers (all p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that occupational fuel exposure significantly impairs multi-system physiological function.
Abstract: Background: Occupational exposure to petroleum products poses substantial physiological risks to oil company workers. Aim: This study assessed the physiological effects of fuel exposure among oil company workers in Delta State, Nigeria. Methods: This study employed a comparative cross-sectional design involving 330 participants comprising 165 expos...
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