Impact of Long-Term Cement Dust Exposure on Electrolytes and Anion Gap in Enugu Metropolis, Enugu State of Nigeria

Cement dust, a complex mixture of various substances including calcium oxide, iron oxide, chromium, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide potassium, sodium, sulfur and magnesium oxide can have deleterious effects on human health at long time inhalation. Medical scientists have been interested to know the possible effects of cement dust inhalation on human health, especially at long time inhalation. Ninety (90) adult males were used for this study, 60 construction site workers who have been exposed to cement dust for not less than years, and 30 men who had no history of cement dust exposure. Using Ion Selective Electrode and Calculation Methods, serum electrolytes and anion gabs were estimated respectively. Our results showed that there was significant reduction in serum sodium, chlorides and bicarbonate levels in the cement dust exposed workers when compared with the non-exposed men (P<0.05), while serum potassium levels were significantly higher in the exposed group than the unexposed group (P<0.05). A significant increase in anion gap (P<0.05) was also observed. The above findings are suggestive of imbalances in serum electrolytes and anion gap which may often result to metabolic acidosis and possible respiratory diseases among cement dust exposed individuals in Enugu metropolis of Nigeria.