Clinical study on the relationship between exposure to ultrafine particles (PM0.1) and cardiovascular diseases in petroleum workers

The study examines the health of petroleum industry employees in Basrah City, southern Iraq, with a focus on their exposure to toxic chemicals, specifically the impact of oxidative stress on their hearts. This study included two groups of men: in the first group, ninety employees were exposed to crude oil well sites in Basrah, and ninety individuals were in the control group. This study evaluated two ultra-fine particles in the participants' blood: the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite [Benzopyrene diol epoxide (BPDE)] level and the toxic cadmium. The study also aimed to evaluate the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum of the study participants and monitor the lipid profile. The results showed high levels of BPDE, a high concentration of cadmium in the blood, increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased SOD in the exposed group compared to the control group. The results also showed a significant increase in triglycerides. The increase in reactive oxygen species production is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, and high triglycerides indicate artery wall deposits, leading to cardiovascular disease.