Blood dyscrasia in unofficial vendors of petrol and heavy oil and motor mechanics in Nigeria.

The risk of blood dyscrasia has been measured in Nigerians exposed to benzene in petrol through inhalation and ingestion while employed selling petrol syphoned from oil-drums at the roadside. Significant degrees of anaemia, hypochromia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were found in male vendors of heavy oil for motor scooters (n = 20), vendors of petrol and heavy oil (n = 52) and vendors of petrol alone (n = 46) compared to adolescent (n = 49) and adult (n = 80) male controls. Motor mechanics (n = 57) working at small repair workshops were also at risk of anaemia through exposure to petroleum products. Petrol pump attendants (n = 38) at modern filling stations did not appear to have any such occupational hazard. The practices of unofficial roadside vendors of petrol and heavy oil, and to a less extent motor mechanics, in the developing world are dangerous to health, being associated with blood dyscrasia and probably with increased incidence of aplastic anaemia and leukaemia. Education of the public and legislation are required to stop these practices.