Liver function, kidney function, glycohemoglobin, neurotransmitters, and heart markers and factors affecting blood biochemistry among workers at gas service stations, Thailand

Background: Workers who live near fuel sources, particularly those who work at gas stations, are at a high risk of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) toxicity, which can manifest in both acute and chronic forms. This study is set in Thailand as baseline data for prevention and health surveillance. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to elucidate factors affecting biochemistry markers—namely, liver function, kidney function, glycohemoglobin levels, neurotransmitters, and heart markers—among gas station workers in Thailand. Methods: The sample group included 200 people who worked at gas stations. Interview forms, urine collection, and blood collection were used in the study. Laboratory analysis was performed to determine urinary BTEX metabolites and blood biochemistry markers, including serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE), and cardiac troponin-T (cTnT). Results: The results, following factors, had a statistically significant (P<0.05) effect on the blood biochemistry markers. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of abnormal AChE [odds ratio (OR) =2.600; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.096, 6.168], working more than 8 hours per day was associated with an increased risk of abnormal SGPT (OR =2.789; 95% CI: 1.003, 7.761), and being exposed to a higher median level of hippuric acid (HA) increased the risk for abnormal SGPT and AChE (OR =3.295, 95% CI: 1.080, 10.050; and OR =3.326, 95% CI: 1.256, 8.805, respectively). Conclusions: Gas station workers should refrain from smoking and avoid inhaling secondhand smoke, shorten their work hours to less than 8 per day, and avoid being exposed to substances released from gas dispensers during their rest periods to reduce their exposure to toluene in fuel and their impact on health.