REVIEW PAPER
Recent advances in occupational and environmental health hazards of workers exposed to gasoline compounds
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University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria (Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology)
Online publication date: 2017-02-01
Corresponding author
Christopher E. Ekpenyong
University of Uyo, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Physiology, Ikpa Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, P.M.B 1017, Nigeria
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2017;30(1):1-26
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ABSTRACT
The impact of health and environmental hazards, associated with the constituents of gasoline, on occupationally exposed
workers has been recorded over the past few decades. However, the scientific literature on their pathogenic potential remains
incomplete, which could affect the current understanding of the associated health risks. This review provides current
information based on recently improved research techniques to evaluate gasoline toxicity profiles for humans. Our current
knowledge provides insight into the intricate mechanism of gasoline-induced adverse effects, including the formation of
reactive metabolites via bio-activation and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress,
which are involved in multiple mechanisms that are central to the aetiology of gasoline-induced toxicity. These mechanisms
include covalent binding to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), leading to oxidative damage, tumor-suppression gene activity,
and activation of pro-oncogenes. Furthermore, it results in induction of autoimmunity and local inflammatory responses,
disruption of multiple neurotransmitters and immune cell function, derangement of various enzyme activities (e.g., sodiumpotassium
adenosine triphosphate (Na+/K+/ATPase) activity, cytochrome P450 (CYP450), nitric oxide synthase (NOS),
antioxidant enzyme activities, etc.), conjugation of bile, and non-specific cell membrane interaction, leading to damage of
the membrane lipid bilayer and proteins. Available data suggests that exposure to gasoline or gasoline constituents have
the potential to cause different types of illnesses. The data highlights the need to maintain safety measures via suitable
research, medical surveillance, regulatory control, life style modification, early detection, and intervention to minimize
exposure and manage suspected cases. They also present novel opportunities to design and develop effective therapeutic
strategies against gasoline-induced detrimental effects. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(1):1–26